Baroness Youngasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many girls in care became pregnant in 1999; and what percentage of girls in care became pregnant before they reached the age of 16; and [HL2629]
How many children in care are known to be suffering from sexually transmitted diseases; and [HL2631]
How many children in the care of local authorities are now housed in bed and breakfast accommodation. [HL2630]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The Department of Health does not collect data on the number of children in care who become pregnant or who are known to be suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. While it was based on a fairly small-scale study, a National Children's Bureau report in 1992 found that a quarter of care leavers had a child by the age of 16.
In March 1999, 1,100 looked-after children were placed in lodgings or living independently—this figure includes those housed in bed and breakfast accommodation, although that figure is not collected separately.