§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on funding arrangements for secure units for young offenders;
(2) how many secure units for young offenders are funded directly by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere are currently 33 approved secure units run by local authorities and two secure youth treatment centres run direct by the Department of Health. All these facilities are available for children in care who meet the admissions criteria. (Some will be offenders or alleged offenders). The costs of these placements are met by the placing authority. Certain children who have been convicted of grave crimes under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 may also be placed in these facilities on behalf of the Home Office by the Department of Health. The cost of these placements is borne by central Government. In addition, grants may be made by the Department of Health to local authorities towards the capital costs of providing such accommodation.