HC Deb 05 March 1953 vol 512 cc537-8
6. Mr. Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were abandoned by their parent or parents in 1951; in how many cases the parents subsequently were traced; and in how many of these prosecution and conviction followed.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The only figures available of children abandoned are those in local authority returns which show that, in England and Wales between November, 1950, and November, 1951, 1,364 children were received into care under the Children Act, 1948, as abandoned or lost. I regret that figures are not available for the number of parents traced after abandoning children, nor are there separate figures of prosecutions for abandonment of children under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933. There were in 1951 three prosecutions and convictions for abandonment of children under Section 27 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861.

Mr. Hastings

Is the Home Secretary aware that an increasing number of parents abandon their children knowing that they will be well looked after by the children's committee of the local authority, and that these parents only take any interest in the children when they reach the earning age? What does the right hon. and learned Gentleman propose to do about this increasing evil?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

There are two considerations. The first is that it is not a criminal offence to abandon a child: the offence arises only when the child is abandoned in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. But the main point, on which I think the whole House supported me when I made it a few days ago, is that we must try to inculcate a greater sense of responsibility into parents.

Mr. Nicholson

Is not it the duty of the children's committee and the local authority generally to make parents pay for their children when they can be traced?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I think that is so, but I should like to look into the matter.

Mr. G. Thomas

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman indicate whether the figures are going up or down?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I have not got comparative figures. I shall be glad to inquire and let the hon. Gentleman know the answer.