§ 23. Mr. Ronald King Murrayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the background leading to the appearance of Robert Glendinning in the High Court at Edinburgh on 26th July, 1972, particularly having regard to his previous history and the need to protect the public.
§ Mr. MonroRobert Glendinning appeared before a children's hearing in East Kilbride on 9th November, 1971, on charges of assault and was placed under the supervision of the local authority social work department. I understand that a full psychiatric report was available to the hearing, and it was one of the conditions of the supervision requirement that he should attend a psychiatric clinic. On 28th March, 1972, the supervision requirement was reviewed by a hearing which decided that it should be continued. My inquiries have shown that the boy was given the supervision and treatment required by the decision of the hearing.
§ Mr. MurrayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that reply raises as many questions as it answers? Will he confirm 553 that after this boy had appeared on no fewer than four occasions on charges involving violence, one of them I am told involving brandishing a knife, an assessment was made that this boy was a danger to the public? If he can confirm that, will he take steps to consult his right hon. Friend and the Lord Advocate to see whether amendment of the law is necessary to give the Lord Advocate greater discretion to order proceedings on indictment?
§ Mr. MonroI note what the hon. and learned Gentleman says and I will report it to my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. From the information in my possession, I feel that the hon. and learned Gentleman has somewhat exaggerated the situation. We deeply regret the murder that took place, but at the same time I want to stand up for the system of children's hearings. Look at it in a hypothetical way. If the children's hearing system had not been in force, the boy would have gone to a juvenile court and in all probability would have been placed on probation. I do not think that what occurred was the fault of the children's hearing.
§ Mr. EwingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that last point is the relevant one? Would he agree that this case has brought unfortunate publicity and some bad attacks on the system of children's hearings? Will he take this opportunity to confirm the Government's confidence and to accept an expression of our confidence in the system of children's hearings?