§ 37. Mr. Sidney Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider amending the regulations so that police officers attending juvenile courts should now appear in uniform.
§ Mr. EdeThere are no statutory provisions requiring police officers to wear civilian clothes when on duty in juvenile courts. The matter is within the discretion of the justices, and the practice varies from court to court.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes not the Minister think it would be advisable to inform the courts that it is within their discretion, because I believe that in many cases they are not aware of the fact? It might be very useful to advise them that they have this discretion.
§ Mr. EdeI think that the discretion is known, but, if not, I am quite sure that the hon. Gentleman's Question and this answer will draw attention to it.
§ Mr. Somerville HastingsDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that magistrates are much more likely to get the truth out of children who are not frightened?
§ 38. Mr. S. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider amending the regulations so that the names of all juvenile delinquents appearing before juvenile magistrates should be made public, except in cases where, within the magistrate's discretion, such publication should not be made.
§ Mr. EdeThe publication of names or other identifying particulars is prohibited by Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, which empowers the court or the Secretary of State to authorise publication if satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so. I do not consider that any change in the law is desirable.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes not the Minister think that if the same discretion as that allowed to police officers regarding the wearing of uniform were given to magistrates in regard to the publication of names, it would be a useful deterrent in other juvenile cases?
§ Mr. EdeThey have a discretion. If they think that in a particular case the cause of justice would be served by so doing, they are quite at liberty to disclose the names of the children appearing before them. It is their discretion, and, if they like, they can exercise it.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that publication of his reply will also be helpful in making them realise the discretion which they have?