(2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the provision of military training or other activities for young offenders as an alternative to court proceedings.
The Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) at Colchester exists to retrain and rehabilitate service personnel who have offended and will return to active service, as well as those resettling into civilian life having been discharged from the armed forces. The MCTC is not specifically targeted at individuals between the ages of 16 to 25; however any courts martial ruling would have taken into account an individual's age. The MCTC acts in accordance with Home Office guidance on the treatment of those under 18 years of age. It is regularly inspected by HMIP.
There are no military programmes in place for civilians; any rehabilitation would be a matter for the civilian criminal justice system. However my Department is involved in helping vulnerable young people through the Outreach programme and the Army Cadet force's youth and community project, which helps socially disengaged young people to become responsible citizens. We also work with other Government Departments on initiatives such as Skill Force, providing alternative training for young people at risk of exclusion.
No discussions have taken place with the Secretary of State for Justice on the provision of military training for young offenders prior to court proceedings.