§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authority social services departments provide secure accommodation for young people which can he used as an alternative to prison.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLocal authority social services departments provide a range of facilities and services which may be used as an alternative to a custodial sentence or a prison department remand. This includes a national network of approved secure accommodation, currently provided by 27 social services departments in England in 34 individual secure units, to which all local authorities have access.