§ 21. Mr. Thorneasked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information about the case of a young girl who was in the care of a woman charged, at the South-Western Police Court, with assaulting this girl of 16 years of age; and whether he has any statement to make on the criticism passed on the East Sussex County Council by the stipendiary of the police court?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonMy hon. Friend no doubt has in mind a case in which on 14th December a woman was fined £25 and ordered to pay 10 guineas costs on conviction of an offence of aggravated assault on a 16-year-old girl who had been employed by her as a domestic servant. I understand that the girl had been in the care of the East Sussex County Council, but on the limited information which I have succeeded in obtaining in the short time available I am not in a position to make any comment on this aspect of the matter. I am informed that the girl is to be brought before a juvenile court within the next few days under the Children and Young Persons Act, as a young person in need of care and protection.
§ Mr. ThorneWould my right hon. Friend use his good offices to see that this young girl is placed under proper control and is put into the hands of a decent person?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe will keep the case under observation and endeavour to keep my hon. Friend informed.