Oral Answers to Questions — Remand Home Accommodation (Becontree).

– in the House of Commons at on 27 July 1933.

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Photo of Mr Valentine McEntee Mr Valentine McEntee , Walthamstow West

32.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is now no remand home accommodation for children within the area of the Becontree Division of the County of Essex, and that the justices are anxious about the bad effects of the lack of suitable accommodation; and, as representations made by the justices to the Essex County Council on the matter have not succeeded, will he take steps to ensure that adequate accommodation for children and young persons is provided within the area?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The responsibility for providing remand home accommodation for the Becontree Division rests at present with the Essex Standing Joint Committee who, I understand, made an arrangement last year with the London County Council for the use of the remand home in London. Under the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, which comes into force on the 1st November next, the responsibility for providing remand home accommodation for Becontree and other parts of Essex will be transferred to the Essex County Council who will no doubt take into consideration any representations made to them by the Becontree Justices. I may add that a Circular was recently sent from the Home Office to county and county borough councils on the subject of the provision of remand home accommodation under the Act and it was suggested that better and more economical arrangements could be made by the use of central remand homes serving a number of adjoining areas. It would not be consistent with this advice for me to propose the provision of separate accommodation for the Becontree Division.

Photo of Mr Valentine McEntee Mr Valentine McEntee , Walthamstow West

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the nature of the division itself Everybody will agree that a central home is a good thing, but would not that depend on the district, whether it is highly populated or sparsely populated, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the justices are very dissatisfied with the accommodation provided in the London County Council home?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

I think there is reason for criticism of the existing home, but I understand that that is going to be remedied.