HC Deb 16 December 1943 vol 395 cc1669-70
23. Dr. Russell Thomas

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider setting up a Committee to investigate the problem of juvenile delinquency in all its aspects?

Mr. H. Morrison

The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has been well in my mind in connection with post-war developments, and I shall hope before long to appoint a Committee to advise me on some or all of the aspects of this subject. I should like, however, to take the opportunity of saying that ten years' experience of the working of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, has satisfied my advisers that, generally speaking, the principles on which young offenders are at present being dealt with are sound, and that progress has continued, in spite of the unfortunate impact of war on social conditions. I should like also to express my warm appreciation of the admirable and successful work, of which the general public knows so little, done by justices sitting in juvenile courts, by probation officers and by the heads and staff of approved schools and other homes or institutions for children, which assist the juvenile courts in their work.

Dr. Thomas

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. Will he give the Committee the widest possible terms of reference in this matter, because these children are the future citizens of our country, and juvenile delinquency has increased enormously during the war, not only in a legal sense but also in a general way?

Mr. Morrison

I will certainly give consideration to the points to which my hon. Friend calls attention.