§ 67. Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he has any information, including statistical returns, respecting the number of juvenile delinquents whose cases have been considered in the courts during the past six months; the approximate number now in remand homes compared with September, 1939; and whether any special consideration is being given to the incidence of increased juvenile delinquency?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs I informed the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 9th April, figures relating to juvenile delinquency since the outbreak of war are not yet available, but they are being collected 1119 and tabulated as quickly as the circumstances permit. Information which has reached me from different sources suggests that, while there was a pronounced decrease in juvenile delinquency shortly after the outbreak of war, there has since been an increase. This is not perhaps surprising in view of the disturbance of school and home life caused by evacuation and other conditions arising from the war.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask when we are likely to get some information of a more specific character regarding the reports, heard on every side, about the disturbing increase in juvenile delinquency and whether the right hon. Gentleman will reply to the last sentence in my Question?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe answer to the last part of the Question is that the Home Office is in close touch with the various authorities concerned. With regard to the first part of the Supplementary Question, I think the first detailed information on the subject will become available when the report of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police is published. That, I hope, will be in the near future.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs not the real remedy to get schools open full time, so that education can be restored to normal with as little delay as possible? Will my righthon. Friend make representations, in the light of his knowledge and experience, to the President of the Board of Education?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am in close touch with my right hon. Friend on this matter.
§ Mr. ThorneWill the Minister of Education take note of what is being said?
Viscountess AstorIs it not true that one of the best ways, to do away with juvenile delinquency is to have more boys' clubs, and could not Members of the House of Commons, who have not to fight, go back to their constituencies to encourage boys and open boys' clubs for them at night?
§ Mr. McGovernWhat about bottle parties?