§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostels exist in the Leeds and Bradford area; what other forms of accommodation are available for persons on bail; what plans there are for increasing the number of hostels; and what advice is given to magistrates on the use of bail hostels.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are six approved hostels in the Leeds and Bradford area which take bailees—four in Leeds, one in Cleckheaton and one in Bradford amounting to 113 places in all. We have agreed in principle to outline proposals for two more hostels and additional places at existing hostels in West Yorkshire by April 1990 which will provide a further 50 to 52 beds.
There is a wide range of other housing agency hostels and self-contained accommodation available for bailees including supported lodgings.
The presumption in favour of bail was firmly established by the Bail Act 1976. More recently guidance on bail, including accommodation, was issued to magistrates courts on 11 May 1988 in Home Office circular 25/1988. A list of all approved hostels and their catchment areas is issued to courts by the Home Office from time to time; local probation areas notify courts when a new hostel opens.
We are also encouraging the development of bail information schemes which give courts better information on which to take decisions about bail. A new scheme is due to start in Leeds on 31 July and a feasibility study is under way in Bradford.