asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what remand facilities are available for girls in the county of Leicestershire, and in the City of Leicester, respectively; and what plans he has for the improvement and extension of such facilities.

We understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that there are two observation and assessment centres in Leicestershire— "The Beeches". Leicester and "The Holt", Birstall—where girls or boys may be accommodated on remand to the local authority. The local authority also has arrangements with Derbyshire and Lincolnshire for additional places, some of which are secure. There is no prison department establishment in Leicestershire where girls aged 14–16 remanded under a certificate of unruliness may be accommodated. It is Government policy to phase out such remands, beginning with those of 14-year-old girls, as soon as practicable.