After section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 there shall be inserted the following section—
Cost of secure accommoda- tion (61A) (1) The Secretary of State may, in relation to any costs incurred by a local authority in discharging their duty under section 61(1) above— (a) defray such costs to such extent as he considers appropriate in any particular case; (b) defray a proportion to be determined by him from time to time of such costs; and (c) defray or contribute to such costs in accordance with a tariff to be determined by him from time to time. (2) The Secretary of State may require any person providing secure accommodation to transmit to him, at such times and in such form as he may direct, such particulars as he may require with respect to any costs to which this section applies. (3) Payments under this section shall be made out of money provided by Parliament.