Custodial Remand

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 January 1988.

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Photo of Matthew Taylor Matthew Taylor Liberal-SDP Alliance Spokesperson (Energy) 12:00, 21 January 1988

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) male and (b) female prisoners aged less than 17 years old are currently held on remand in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Douglas Hogg Douglas Hogg The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

On 30 September 1987, the latest date for which figures are available centrally, about 165 untried and 15 convicted unsentenced males aged under 17 were held in prison department establishments in England and Wales. Girls aged under 17 may not be remanded into prison custody.

Photo of Matthew Taylor Matthew Taylor Liberal-SDP Alliance Spokesperson (Energy)

I am sure the Minister agrees with the importance of the rapid development of bail hostels. Does he agree that the present development of such hostels is too slow, and is there any way of speeding it up?

Photo of Douglas Hogg Douglas Hogg The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

I am glad that we have the hon. Gentleman's support for our policy of introducing more bail hostels.