8. Mrs. Patonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a girl of 15 years of age was remanded to Strange ways prison by the Manchester Juvenile Court on Wednesday, 6th March, following a report by the deputy matron of the remand home that she had absconded eight times since 18th December, had refused medical treatment and was impudent to the staff; and whether, as Manchester prison is not a suitable place for the detention of a girl of this age and in view of other similar cases of problem boys and girls, he will ask Parliament for powers to establish observation centres, without waiting for the introduction of a comprehensive Criminal Justice Bill.
§ Mr. EdeI have made inquiry about the girl referred to and I regret that her bad behaviour made it necessary for the Justices to certify that she was too unruly to be detained in a Remand Home. I 2009 share my hon. Friend's anxiety to do all that is possible to keep young people out of prison, but the attainment of this object depends on a combination of measures, which can only be secured by a comprehensive Bill for enlarging the methods available to the courts.
Mrs. PatonIn view of the frequency of these cases, would the Home Secretary treat the matter as one of great urgency, and would he not agree that a scientific approach is needed?
§ Mr. EdeI regret that there appears to be at the moment a small number of young people who are determined to prove that no disciplinary measures shall be successful. I cannot allow the more humane methods that have been employed in recent years to be brought into disrepute by pandering to these desires.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIn order to secure sympathetic, constructive treatment and diagnosis of some of the problem cases, will the Home Secretary call in the aid of psychiatrists?
§ Mr. EdeIn this case the girl had been examined by a considerable number of people having regard to the length of time she has been with us, and, like two or three boys for whom I have recently had to answer at this Box, she is a person who is determined, so far as one can see, that no reformative methods shall be applied to her.
§ Mr. Leslie HaleCan the Home Secretary say whether the Bill referred to in his answer is in the course of being drafted, and if not will be undertake to introduce the Criminal Justice Bill of 1939, which might virtually go through as an agreed Measure?
§ Mr. EdeThe Bill I referred to was the Criminal Justice Bill. I am now engaged on revising it in the light of the experience of the seven or eight years since it emerged from Committee.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the Home Secretary address his mind to the question of psychiatrists?
§ Mr. EdeWe do employ psychiatrists and these young people are examined, but unfortunately they do not seem to ' respond to the treatment that psychiatrists recommend.
§ 11. Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of young persons of 16 2010 years and under who have been committed to prison, as distinct from Borstal sentences, during the 12 months ended 8th March.