§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 253, relating to the expected savings in 1994–95 in respect of bail hostels, what directions have been given to the West Midlands probation service as to the savings to be made in 1994–95.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Home Office has not given directions to the West Midlands probation committee on this matter. The committee has been asked to identify two approved hostels for closure so that the necessary savings in public expenditure may be made.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he had received about his decision to close 11 bail hostels.
§ Mr. MacleanRepresentations have been received from a number of hon. Members, probation services, and others involved in the criminal justice system from the areas affected.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements will be made for offenders in the west midlands when there is no vacancy in a bail or probation hostel in the west midlands.
§ Mr. MacleanThere are over 100 approved hostels in England and Wales, a number of which are located in probation areas neighbouring the west midlands. All are available to the west midlands courts and it is the responsibility of the probation service to bring them to those courts' attention.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those remanded on bail are remanded to bail hostels.
§ Mr. MacleanThe information requested is not held centrally and is not available.
226W
Receptions into prison service establishments by offence, 19931 Offence Immediate imprisonment In default of payment of a fine All Percentage in default of payment of a fine All offences 52,337 22,583 74,920 30 Violence against the person 7,537 1,575 9,112 17 Murder 214 0 214 0 Manslaughter 183 0 183 0 Other homicide and attempted homicide 403 5 408 1 Wounding 4,826 785 5,611 14 Assaults 11,371 612 1,983 31 Cruelty to children 46 1 47 2 Other offences of violence against the person 494 172 666 26 Sexual offences 1,849 34 1,883 2 Buggery and indecency between males 179 1 180 1 Rape 428 0 428 0 Gross indecency with children 223 2 225 1 Other sexual offences 1,019 31 1,050 3 Burglary 9,532 1,673 11,205 15 Robbery 3,075 59 3,134 2
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the total reduction in funding for bail hostels is being met from the west midlands.
§ Mr. MacleanSome 16 per cent.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the rates charged by local authorities to other local authorities for accommodating those remanded on bail when there is no vacancy available in their own hostels.
§ Mr. MacleanLocal authorities are required to pay a standard flat rate charge for hostel residents for whom they have responsibility, irrespective of where that hostel is located. For 1993–94 the weekly charge is £65.03.