§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are now available in probation hostels; and how this compares with 1970.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe number of places is now 744. These are available only to persons aged 17 and over. 1970 was a year of transition during which, by virtue of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, persons under 17 could no longer be sent to probation hostels, and a few hostels were experimentally made available to persons aged 21 and over.