§ MR. TANKER VILLE CHAMBERLAYNE (Southampton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the following case: That two children, aged 12 and 10, living at Totton, near Southampton, were apprehended for stealing two cocoanuts from a shop of the value of 4d.; that they were taken to an outhouse adjoining the police station and detained there through the night; and that their cries and entreaties to be taken home to their parents were heard by passers-by; and whether he will give instructions to the police with regard to juvenile offenders whose parents are well-known, and would be ready to guarantee their appearance before the Magistrates, that they be not taken out of their custody before conviction?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have received a Report from the Justices' Clerk, who reports that three boys were taken into custody in consequence of a reported robbery. They were not put into an outhouse, but into a proper cell under the same roof as the police station, which is occupied by a police sergeant and his family. There was a fire in the guard-room and some rugs properly aired, and a bed made in the hall, where the boys slept that night, and within half an hour of their being in the cell they were asleep. Beyond one of the boys crying a little when the charge was read, they were perfectly quiet. The sergeant visited the cell at midnight, when they were still asleep. I understand that the practice in the Metropolitan Police where children are concerned is to 1611 liberate them at once on bail, if anyone be willing to become surety. Should the children not have any friends, the officer on duty would send them to the workhouse till the morning. I should, myself, think it desirable, wherever it is possible consistently with the ends of justice, that children should not be taken out of the care of their parents before conviction, but considerable discretion must necessarily be left with the local police in dealing with particular cases.