HC Deb 14 February 1991 vol 185 cc549-50W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations were undertaken by the probation service with the residents of Elworth prior to the recent submission of an application to open a bail hostel within the village.

Mr. John Patten

I understand that Cheshire probation service began consultation with local residents after the planning application was submitted to Congleton borough council but before the formal planning committee meeting on 4 December 1990 when planning permission was refused.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences were committed by individuals resident in bail hostels at the time of the offence in the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. John Patten

The information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria upon which potential sites for bail hostels are assessed by the probation service.

Mr. John Patten

Local probation services assess potential sites for bail hostels on the basis of a range of factors such as the level of unmet demand for bail places in the surrounding area; the availability of suitable properties in terms of size, price and ease of management; the proximity of amenities and public transport links; the general character of the area and the likelihood of planning consent being granted.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit the village of Elworth to meet local residents to discuss the proposal to site a bail hostel in the village.

Mr. John Patten

The role of the Home Office in these matters is confined to approval of proposals that new hostels should be set up and their funding. It falls to local probation committees to choose the particular sites, negotiate purchases, consult the neighbours and apply for the relevant planning consents. I understand that Cheshire probation service is already discussing its proposal to site a bail hostel in Elworth with local residents and representatives. I hope that discussions can continue on this basis.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is given by the probation service to the proximity of primary schools when assessing potential sites for use as bail hostels.

Mr. John Patten

The proximity of a primary school or schools may be one of many factors which local probation services need to consider when assessing a potential site for use as a bail hostel.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is given by the probation service to the proximity of clubs and societies for senior citizens when assessing potential sites for use as bail hostels.

Mr. John Patten

The proximity of such clubs or societies may be one of many factors which local probation services may need to consider when assessing a site for use as a bail hostel.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is given by the probation service to local employment opportunities for inmates when assessing potential sites for use as bail hostels.

Mr. John Patten

Unemployed bailees can experience difficulty in finding local jobs because the average period of residence on bail is only a few weeks. In general terms, the local probation service would, therefore, look first of all for good public transport links so that hostel residents already in work could, wherever possible, retain their existing employment.