§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has for remedying the shortage of secure accommodation for juveniles in Mersey-side in general and Knowsley in particular.
§ Dr. OwenPrimary responsibility for providing accommodation for children in care, including secure accommodation, rests on local authorities. Eight secure places, which are not yet in use, have recently been completed at a community home with education on the premises assisted by Liverpool Metropolitan District Council. Urgent discussions are in progress on a project to provide eight secure places in an observation and assessment centre at Liverpool. I understand also that a project for eight secure places in an observation and assessment centre in the Wirral will be coming forward shortly.