asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners under the age of 21 years are on remand in Holloway prison.

Yesterday morning there were at Holloway prison seven unconvicted prisoners under the age of 21. In addition there were 39 unsentenced prisoners under that age who had been committed for inquiries or to a higher court for sentence.

Is it not scandalous that, as happened in the case a day or two ago, young girls can be kept in Holloway prison for weeks at a time awaiting trial? Will the Home Office take very early steps to see that some kind of remand home facilities are available in the London area?

Of course, it is for the courts to determine how to deal with anyone who comes before them, but I share my hon. Friend's concern that those under 21 should be committed to prison. As he recognises, the problem here is one of the provision of remand centres and I am sure that he will be pleased to know that we now have nine remand centres in the country, including four which have been opened this year. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to open one for women and girls in the London area, but we are doing our best to do so.