HL Deb 18 June 1997 vol 580 cc117-8WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the minimum age at which children may lawfully be detained in adult prisons in the Isle of Man.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

Under Manx law, a child (that is a person of or over the age of 10 but under the age of 14) can be remanded to custody or sentenced to serve a term of custody, but only in exceptional circumstances. Section 9(2) of the Isle of Man Custody Act 1995 stipulates that no court shall impose custody on a child or young person unless the court is of the opinion that the circumstances are so exceptional that it would be inappropriate to deal with him by any other method.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps to ensure that separate secure accommodation is made available in the Isle of Man for the detention of child offenders.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The provision of prison accommodation in the Isle of Man is a matter for the Manx authorities. I understand that there is a secure juvenile unit for the detention of child offenders which is physically separated from the rest of the Isle of Man's prison and has a separate entrance and reception facility.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the detention of child offenders in adult prisons in the Isle of Man is in conformity with the United Kingdom's obligations under international human rights law.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The issue does not arise. Child offenders are not so detained on the Isle of Man.