To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people in local authority care or subject to care orders absconded for more than a week for each local authority in the last three years. [10435]

The figures which are available relate to the number of children looked after by local authorities in England who were recorded as absent from their agreed placement for more than one week. Although this will include children who absconded, it will also include children who were absent for other reasons. Figures for the latest three years available have been placed in the Library. Figures for the year ending 31 March 1996 are not yet available.