§ Sir JOHN JARDINEasked with reference to sentences of birching passed on children in the Sheriff Substitute's Court at Jedburgh, whether the system followed in the River Baillie's Court at Glasgow has been introduced there under which an official inquiry into the parentage, character, and life history of the child, and the public prosecutor refrains in many cases from bringing the offender before the Court, while protecting the law and order by means of cautions and warnings to the child or parent and by using a friendly supervision?
§ Mr. UREI think my hon. Friend will understand that a system which may be suitable for a city like Glasgow is not necessarily suitable or practicable in a rural district. I am informed that while no special official is allocated to the purpose indicated every care is taken by those responsible to make full preliminary inquiry with a view to dealing with juvenile cases outside the court in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend wherever that course is possible.