§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detention centre orders were made by the courts (a) in the six months prior to the introduction of youth custody orders and (b) since their introduction.
§ Mr. MellorThe authority for courts to make youth custody orders came into effect on 24 May 1983. Information on detention centre orders made by the courts is published annually in "Criminal Statistics England and Wales" (Tables 7.7–7.10 of the issue for 1982, Cmnd. 9048). Information for 1983 is not yet available. The readily available relevant information on receptions into detention centres, under a detention centre order, is given as follows.
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Receptions into detention centres under a detention centre order: by age and date of reception *Number Date of reception Age on reception Total 14 and under 17 17 and under 21 27 May to 3 August 1980 1,197 1,280 2,477 26 May to 2 August 1981 1,279 1,657 2,936 25 May to 1 August 1982 1,141 1,416 2,557 24 May to 31 July 1983 997 1,427 2,424 * The figures are those held centrally and are approximate.