§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places there are in assessment centres for children in the county of Cheshire; how many of these places are in secure accommodation; how many additional places are proposed; and how many of these are intended to be in secure accommodation.
§ Dr. OwenThere are 70 places in observation and assessment centres in Cheshire. Of these, two places are in what are technically secure rooms but these rooms are not currently used as secure rooms and would be suitable only for enabling a child to be separated temporarily from his fellows.
The regional plan provides for a further 33 places at an assessment centre expected to become available on 1st April next. Proposals have been submitted by the county council for another centre which is to provide 30 places. No secure accommodation is proposed at either of these two centres.