HL Deb 26 November 1997 vol 583 cc123-4WA
Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November (WA 292-3) to the "170 new secure places in local authority accommodation", how many places there are in England and Wales other than the 170 referred to in the Answer.

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

There are currently 435 approved local authority secure places in England and Wales. This figure includes 160 of the 170 new places being provided under the secure Accommodation Development Programme. The remaining 10 places will be available in August 1998. Redevelopment schemes are also presently proceeding at a number of units which, when completed during 1998, will add a further 15 places to the national stock. A further 40 places are provided by the Department of Health's Youth Treatment Centre at Glenthorne.

Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November (WA 292-3) to "accused, convicted and other juveniles who need secure accommodation, what categories of "other juveniles" need secure accommodation.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Local Authority secure accommodation is also provided for young people generally between the ages of 10 and 18 who are likely to cause injury to themselves or others if placed in other forms of accommodation. Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 sets out the criteria which must be met before a child being looked after by a local authority can be placed, and if placed kept, in secure accommodation.

Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November (WA 292-3)to "accused, convicted and other juveniles who need secure accommodation", how many (a) accused; (b) convicted; and (c) other juveniles who need secure accommodation there are in England and Wales.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

As published in Tables A(1) and D ofChildren accommodated in Secure Units year ending 31 March 1997 England and Wales, the numbers in secure accommodation in England and Wales at 31 March 1997 according to their legal status on admission were (a) 113 accused; (b) 99 convicted, and (c) 78 other juveniles who needed secure accommodation. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.