35. Mr. Graham Whiteasked the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the anxiety felt concerning the question of juvenile delinquency and in view of the success attending the measures which the Board of Education and the local education authorities have taken during the war to promote the care and welfare of temperamentally difficult children, he will consider the advisability of bringing this latter type of provision more closely into relationship with that of the Home Office in respect of delinquent children?
§ The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)In considering measures for the care of temperamentally difficult children, my Department are keeping in close touch with the Home Office. The joint circular issued by the Departments in June, 1941, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, included suggestions that the juvenile courts should avail themselves of the 2056 facilities provided by local education authorities through child guidance clinics and otherwise. My right hon. Friend and I are anxious that these facilities should be used to the full and extended so far as is practicable in the present circumstances.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to advise the local education authorities to persuade all boys and girls to join the different clubs, as this would put an end to a great deal of juvenile crime?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member will realise that the youth services are being carried out as extensively as possible under the ægis of the local authorities. I am satisfied this influence is gradually being extended.
§ Mr. LindsayAs the peak age for juvenile delinquency is 11 or 12, will the right hon. Gentleman extend the playing centres for children under school age?
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware that that is the age, or slightly older, when the peak comes, but I should require notice of the hon. Gentleman's Question.