§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that of the 105 places available at Norton Community School for Boys, only 58–64 are normally taken up, on average, she will encourage the use of these places as an alternative to the sending of boys between the ages of 14 and 16 years to local prisons or remand centres.
§ Dr. OwenAccording to the regional plan prepared by the Children's Regional Planning Committee for Area 4—the West Midlands—Norton School is a community home providing treatment on a long-term basis for 105 boys who need education and training. It is, however, recognised that this is unrealistic. It is
214Wgive the most recent estimate of the numbers of unemployed receiving earnings-related supplement analysed by (i) the weekly amount of supplement paid, and (ii) for each band of payment, according to the number and type of dependant of the recipient.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe estimated numbers receiving earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit on 4th November 1974, analysed by the rate of supplement payable, are given below. I regret that figures analysed by reference to claimants' dependants are not available:
many years since the school could care adequately for that number of boys and amendment of the regional plan to reduce it to 80 is now likely to be made. In practice, because of long-standing difficulties in recruiting suitable staff the home can at present admit no more than 65 boys. Furthermore, it has no secure accommodation and would not, therefore, be a suitable place in which to hold unruly boys on short-term remand who are better placed in a proper observation and assessment centre with secure accommodation.
There is, unfortunately, no such establishment in Area 4, but there will be this autumn when a secure unit for seven boys should be opened at Tennal Observation and Assessment Centre, in Birmingham. This should reduce substantially the need to send boys to prison or remand centres.