§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many secure places for boys under 17 years of age are available in England and Wales; and what has been the average rate of occupancy during the most convenient recent 12 month period.
§ Mr. John PattenSecure accommodation is generally available for young people up to the age of 18 years. On 1 January 1985 there were 362 approved secure places in the community homes system in England and Wales of which 162 were for boys and 141 for young people of either sex. Information about the average rate of222W occupancy is not currently available, but on 31 March 1984 there were 241 young people accommodated of whom 196 were boys. More comprehensive information from a new statistical return introduced on 1 April 1984 will be available in mid-1985.
Secure places are also available for young people of either sex at two youth treatment centres provided by the Department. On 1 January 1985 there were 58 such places, accommodating 37 boys and 8 girls.