§ 41. Mr. Austinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to publish a Report on the incidence and cause of juvenile delinquency in the war years, in view of the importance of this matter to the national well being.
§ Mr. EdeThe question of resuming the publication of statistics relating to crime which had to be suspended during the war is now being considered, and the importance of compiling and publishing as full information as possible about juvenile offenders will be borne well in mind.
§ Mr. AustinCan my right hon. Friend give some indication of when it is proposed to resume publication of these reports?
§ Mr. EdeIf my hon. Friend will put down a Question about that after the Recess, I hope to be able to give him a more exact answer.
Mr. LindsayWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is a mistake to exaggerate the so-called juvenile delinquency, which, in spite of the blackout, has been very much less than previously?
§ Mr. EdeI hesitate to give an expression of opinion on a general issue like that, but juvenile delinquency is very serious indeed.