HC Deb 30 January 1970 vol 794 cc412-3W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ensure that the parents or legal guardians of a juvenile appearing before the courts are given reasonable opportunity to visit their child before the case is heard, to obtain legal advice and to be present at the hearing.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The effect of Section 34 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, is that such steps as are practicable must be taken to inform a parent or guardian of the arrest of a person under 17. My right hon. Friend does not consider that further amendment of the law would be appropriate for the purposes my hon. Friend has in mind.