§ 53. Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he is supporting that are aimed at replacing custody for 17 to 19-year-olds.
§ Mr. John PattenOur policy is to encourage the use of non-custodial measures whenever they are suitable. The Government have recently offered grants to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and the National Children's Home for work on alternatives to custody for 17 to 20-year-olds. This is part of our wider consideration of punishment in the community for offenders over 17.