HL Deb 01 November 1990 vol 522 c1909WA
The Earl of Longford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many psychiatric bail hostel places are currently available in England and Wales and what is the weekly cost of each place.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

There are no places specifically designed for defendants in need of psychiatric support in the statutorily approved probation/bail and bail hostels, but only those suffering from severe subnormality or psychopathic disorder are statutorily precluded from admission to those hostels.

We are examining the role bail hostels can play in a strategy for dealing with mentally disturbed defendants but no decisions have yet been taken. In 1989–90 the total average cost to public funds of an approved hostel place was about £9,000 per annum.

So far as other hostels are concerned I am aware that some projects within the Home Office voluntary after-care accommodation grants scheme accept such residents as do other special needs accommodation projects not funded by the Home Office.