asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has now collected statistics on the placement of children in secure units in community homes in 1980 from local authorities; whether these are held by his Department on an area basis; and if he will publish them in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether his Department has now collected statistics on the number of placements of children in secure units in community homes for the year 1980 from local authorities in England and Wales; whether such statistics are held on an area basis; and if he will publish them.

I have sent the statistics to the hon. Members and a copy has been placed in the Library. It would be inconvenient to publish the data in the Official Report, but the Department will provide copies on request.