§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the reasons for the high costs of maintenance at Orchard Lodge regional assessment centre for young offenders compared with similar institutions elsewhere.
§ Sir George YoungI understand that the weekly maintenance charge for Orchard Lodge, which will be determined by the responsible body, the London borough of Southwark, and not by my right hon. Friend, has not yet been set. When it opens, the home will come within the London borough's children's regional planning committee's pooling arrangements by which the cost of places in community homes is averaged over the region, and I understand that the charge will not be out of line with that of similar institutions elsewhere. For further information my hon. Friend may like to consult the authorities concerned.