HC Deb 22 April 1998 vol 310 cc634-5W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 391, to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe), for how long the review of the secure estate for juveniles has been in progress; and what is his current estimate of when the review will be published. [38579]

Mr. Michael

An initial review of juvenile secure accommodation has been undertaken as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The review began in September and was completed at the end of March. The Government are now considering the outcome of the review and expect to make a statement shortly. My right hon. Friend has made clear the Government's intention of bringing coherence to the secure estate while achieving greater flexibility and effectiveness in the use of the secure estate and this will require a good deal of detailed work. Our plans were set out in the White Paper "No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales", (Cm 3809, November 1997).

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of secure accommodation for young offenders. [38532]

Mr. Michael

Juveniles who are held in custody on remand or sentenced can be placed in secure accommodation provided by the local authority or by central Government in Prison Service facilities, Secure Training Centres or in the Youth Treatment Centre.

The Government have undertaken an initial review of secure accommodation for juveniles as part of their Comprehensive Spending Review. This looked at the whole range of secure accommodation for children and young people. The Government are now considering the outcome of the review and expect to make a statement shortly.

My right hon. Friend has made clear the Government's intention of bringing coherence to the secure estate, while achieving greater flexibility and effectiveness in the use of the secure estate and this will require a good deal of detailed work. Our plans were set out in the White Paper "No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales", (Cm 3809, November 1997).