HC Deb 13 May 1976 vol 911 cc244-5W
Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the remand centres for boys which at present exist to serve the needs of London and the Home Counties and the number of places available at each.

Mr. John

The certified normal accommodation at Ashford and Latchmere House remand centres provides 403 and 130 places, respectively, for young males between the ages of 14 and 20.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new remand centres are planned to serve the London and Home Counties area; and where these are to be located.

Mr. John

Four new remand centres are planned for the south-east of England: at North Weald, Essex; Feltham, West London; Rochester, Kent; and Norwich, Norfolk.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the need for accommodation in remand centres in the London and the Home Counties area has been reassessed since the centre was originally planned at North Weald, in the light of changing demographic trends or revision of the criteria for putting young persons charged with offences on bail.

Mr. John

Yes. We regularly review the need for remand and other accommodation in the light of statistical forecasts, changes in the law and other relevant factors. Our projections show a continuing need for the remand centre planned at North Weald.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys or young men for whom remand accommodation was required during the past year could not be accommodated in existing centres owing to lack of available places at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. John

Male young persons under 21 who are remanded in custody are committed to a remand centre or local prison in accordance with directions issued from time to time by our Department. These directions take account of the present availability and accessibility of remand centre accommodation. On 15th April 1976, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,264 such persons held on remand in remand centres and 337 in local prisons.