HC Deb 27 April 1909 vol 4 cc176-7
Mr. RENDALL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the practice of certain parents, since the coming into operation of the Children Act, of taking their children to the doors of public-houses, where liquor is handed to the parents by their friends; and whether, seeing that, when such practices take place in the late hours of the evening and in the vicinity of such parents' homes, cruelty is inflicted upon the children so exposed, he will circularise the authorities controlling the police exhorting them to prosecute in such cases?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The Secretary of State's attention has been called to this matter. Merely to keep a young child at the door of a public-house would not in itself amount to cruelty, but it might be done under circumstances and conditions which would cause unnecessary suffering, and thus constitute an offence. If facts come to the knowledge of the police which justify them in proceeding against a parent, the Secretary of State has no doubt that they will be prepared to take action; and he does not think it necessary to issue a circular on the subject.

Mr. RENDALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the police reports show that a large number of children of very tender age are seen very often outside public-houses between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, and does not this fact show cruelty to the children?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It necessarily depends upon the circumstances of each particular case. It is impossible to lay down a general rule.