§ 50. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many young people are being sent to Borstal institutions for periods of two or three years, for offences which in the case of adults would be met by sentences of 30 days' to six months' imprisonment; and what steps he intends to take to prevent such long sentences being imposed?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am aware that some of the offences committed by persons sent to Borstal for training would, if committed by adults, be punished by comparatively short terms of imprisonment. Legislation would be necessary to reduce the existing statutory limits of sentences of Borstal detention, and I do not propose to introduce such legislation.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the right hon. Gentleman going to allow these great injustices to continue, or will he, when individual cases are submitted to him, take steps to see that this injustice is not committed?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI cannot allow the statement to go without contradiction that grave injustice has been committed. I will consider any cases submitted to me 222 by any hon. Member, but I cannot give any undertaking to reduce the sentence in any particular case.
§ Mr. STEPHENHas the right hon. Gentleman not admitted that injustices are being committed when he states that these younger people are getting sentences of several years which would be only months in the case of grown ups?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension. These young people who are sent to Borstal are sent to training. Of persons released between the years 1925 and 1933, nearly 60 per cent. have not subsequently been convicted.