§ 43. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a request from the Standing Joint Committee of Industrial Women's Organisations that a woman representative of working women's organisations should be added to the Departmental Committee inquiring into the treatment of young offenders; and whether, in view of the interest taken in this question by these women's organisations, he will give favourable consideration to the request?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir; I received such a request a few days ago, and I replied that the composition of the Young Offenders' Committee, which includes three women, was very carefully considered at the time and that I do not feel able to add to its membership.
§ Mr. T. KENNEDYWill the right hon. Gentleman not agree that, in view of the representative character of the Standing Joint Committee which seeks representation in this case, the Departmental Committee would be very materially strengthened by the Standing Joint Committee getting what it requires?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Departmental Committee is not a representative Committee. It is a Committee selected by myself after very careful consideration as one that would be likely to inquire carefully and fully into this difficult question, and I think it is a very well constituted body.