asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent improvements have taken place in regard to accommodation in remand homes and approved schools; whether this is now adequate; and if corporal punishment has decreased during the past 12 months.

Necessary adjustments in accommodation are made to meet current demands. There is no deficiency of accommodation except in approved schools for younger boys, for whom more places are being provided. There has been no significant variation in the number of cases of corporal punishment.

Is it not a fact that very encouraging progress in providing this accommodation has been made in the last year?

Yes, Sir, and a slight drop in the number of persons sent.