---

Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I ask my noble friend Lady Butler-Sloss to tell Members of the Committee a little more about the closure of the specialist hospital. It is really dangerous to shut some of these facilities. These children fall between health, social services, education and mental health. I served for many years at a young offenders’ institution, and saw thousands of young people with problems. We should take seriously the prevention of these people becoming criminals and going to prison. It is a dangerous situation and they need all the support they can get, as do their parents. I would be grateful if my noble and learned friend would tell us more about that hospital. Something should be done to stop these facilities from closing.