§ 42. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the practice by which a juvenile charged with an offence was held in remand by the police for seven days without the opportunity of seeing a magistrate before being charged at Chelsea Juvenile Court on 7th April, 1954; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent any similar cases arising in the future.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThis boy, who was not bailed, remained in the remand home until the next sitting of the appropriate juvenile court. Such cases are infrequent, but I am examining the possibility of arranging for the sitting of a special London juvenile court when they occur.
§ Mr. HyndCan the Home Secretary assure us that in the meantime, until these 1439 arrangements come into operation, it will at least be found possible to bring in a juvenile magistrate on these cases, so that the boy concerned can see a magistrate within 24 hours? Adults are not treated in this way, and it does not seem fair or reasonable that juveniles need be, even if the magistrate's court does not sit for another week.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe maximum period which can elapse is seven days, which, I think, is too long. That is why we are trying to arrange for the sitting of a special juvenile court when necessary. The vast majority of juveniles arrested are, of course, bailed. I will, however, deal with this matter as soon as I possibly can.