My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Gerry Sutcliffe) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

On 16 September 2004, Paul Goggins, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Correctional Services, announced the appointment of David Lambert, a former assistant chief inspector of social services, to examine the operational issues raised by the tragic death of Joseph Scholes at Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution in 2002.

David Lambert completed his report in October 2005. The Government have considered it and responded to its recommendations. I am placing copies of the report and of the Government's response in the Library of the House. Both documents can also be accessed at http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/lambert-report-180906 and http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/lambert-report-govt-response.

As well as identifying procedures and practices that require further development, the report notes the positive steps that have been taken since Joseph's death to improve assessment, placement and safeguarding of young people in custody.