Written Answers

Written Answers

Uxbridge Magistrates' Court: Drug Offences

Lord Melchett
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people appeared at Uxbridge magistrates' court in the last 12 months charged with the importation of drugs; which firms of solicitors represented them and how many legal aid certificates were issued in respect of the defendants represented by each of those firms.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)
In 1979, the last 12 month period for which records are available to me, 582 persons were proceeded against at Uxbridge magistrates' court for offences of importation of drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The information requested about the solicitors who represented them and the number of legal aid orders made is not collected centrally, but the Lord Chancellor will write to the noble Lord.

Community Service Orders

Baroness Trumpington
asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of the Community Service Orders terminated in 1979 had been completed satisfactorily.

Lord Belstead
The proportion of Community Service Orders terminated because the specified number of hours of work had been completed is published in Table 29 of the issue for 1979 of Probation and After-Care Statistics, England and Wales; the figure for 1979 was 74 per cent.

Borstal And Detention Centres: Discharges

Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is any recent research which indicates the proportion of borstal and detention centre trainees who are not released to family homes.

Lord Belstead
No, but the report on the evaluation of the pilot project for tougher regimes at New Hall and Send is expected to include information about the destination on discharge of young men released from six detention centres.

House Of Lords Refreshment Department: Funding

Lord Ampthill
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they propose to make any changes in the arrangements for funding the House of Lords Refreshment Department.

Lord Soames
The present financial arrangements for funding the Refreshment Department were set out by my noble friend Lord Ferrers in a Written Answer on 31st March 1980.As from 1st April 1981 the department's staff costs will continue to be borne on the House of Lords Vote. The department will be required to trade on the basis of a 50 per cent. gross profit on turnover. After payment of overheads and of costs attributable to private functions, the department will surrender its net profits to the Exchequer. The Civil Service Catering Organisation are now conducting a full review of the workings of the department and their report will be considered in due course, including any recommendations they may make on the implementations of the new trading basis.House adjourned at twenty-four minutes before four o'clock.