§ 34. Mr. Edward Gardnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the number of children between 10 and 16 years old who have been arrested in the police metropolitan district in respect of each one of the following offences, burglary, robbery, and theft, from 1st January to 30th June 1974 compared with the period 1st January to 31st December 1973.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that information for the first half of 1974 is not yet available.
§ 37. Mr. Alisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the current policy of allowing young persons between the ages of 14 years and 16 years to be remanded in penal establishments.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt is the Government's policy to end such remands. We cannot do so until alternative secure accommodation is available under the regional plans which local authorities have made for the purposes of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services and for Wales are giving this need priority, whenever possible, in considering local authorities' building proposals.