Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of youth custody establishments which contain asbestos.

We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all young people in custody. Prison Service Order 3802, issued in 2004 ensures that Governors, Area Managers and Heads of Groups have systems in place against the accidental release of asbestos fibres within Young Offenders Institutions. I will write to the hon Member on any incidents of exposure within the last five years, as it has not been possible to determine this information within the timescale permitted.

There is no asbestos at the Secure Training Centre sites. Responsibility for managing any asbestos-related risks in Secure Children’s Homes would rest with their managers and owners, who are all local authorities, and information is not held centrally.