HC Deb 04 May 1944 vol 399 c1462
34. Dr. Russell Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of boys and girls who appeared before juvenile courts in 1943.

Mr. H. Morrison

I cannot give the exact figures for which my hon. Friend asks, but provisional figures for the number of boys and girls under 17, found guilty of indictable offences in magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1943, are as follows:

Boys … … … 34,879
Girls … … … 3,477
Dr. Thomas

Is there not a tendency to bring small boys and girls before these courts, in cases of what used to be regarded as ordinary mischief, which could be dealt with in a variety of other ways?

Mr. Morrison

I think it cuts both ways. It may be that, with the development of juvenile courts, court procedure is resorted to with less objection than before. On the other hand, I have heard objection made to chief constables dealing with children directly without taking them to court. I think, on balance, we are doing the best we can.

Dr. Thomas

Is there not always the danger of a small boy being sent away to an approved school for nothing more than mischief?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that is the case in my experience. I think it only happens in cases of real necessity.