§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy that courts will still have to inquire as to the availability of a detention centre place when maximum and minimum sentence lengths are altered as proposed in the White Paper on young offenders.
§ Mr. MayhewCourts are at present asked, but not required, to ascertain that there is a vacancy before passing a detention centre sentence. My right hon. Friend would prefer not to anticipate the procedure which would be followed under new legislation.