To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were in residential care in (a) Merseyside and (b) Crosby in each of the last five years. (282529)

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 4 June 2009, Official Report, columns 640-45W. This response showed the number of children in residential care at 31 March, by local authority for years ending 31 March 2000 to 2008.

Merseyside is made up of the following local authorities: Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens. Figures cannot be provided below local authority level.