§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grant was made in respect of probation hostels in the west midlands in 1993–94; what grant is being made in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanTotal revenue grant for west midlands' approved hostels for 1993–94 was £1,908,804; for 1994–95 the preliminary figure is £1,513,000. I cannot add anything further as this matter is currently sub judice.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the part played by probation hostels in contributing to community safety and tackling the attitudes of criminals and underlying causes of criminal behaviour.
§ Mr. MacleanChapter 7 of "National Standards for the Supervision of Offenders in the Community" deals with the purpose and role of approved hostels. A copy of "National Standards" has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from judges and magistrates in the west midlands about the funding of probation hostels in the west midlands.
§ Mr. MacleanA number of representations have been received from judges and magistrates in the west midlands arguing for the retention of all the approved hostels now in use there.