HC Deb 02 August 1956 vol 557 cc1576-7
22. Mr. Lindgren

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue a circular to local police authorities advising them to instruct police officers not to interview and take written statements from school children on school premises and during school hours without a parent of such children being given an opportunity of being present.

Mr. Deedes

The procedure in individual forces is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned, but my right hon. and gallant Friend understands that it is the normal practice to interview children in the presence of the parent or guardian, unless there are good reasons to the contrary. He does not think that any special advice on this point is necessary.

Mr. Lindgren

Is the Joint Under-Secretary not aware that in the county of Northampton it is common practice for the police to interview a child of 10 or 11 years of age in the company of the headmaster of the school? Does he think that a youngster of 10 or 11 years of age is competent to handle interrogation of that sort with the headmaster and the police, particularly when a written statement is taken down by the police and the youngster has then to sign it?

Mr. Deedes

As I said, my right hon. Friend's understanding is that the normal practice is for the parent to be present, and I would say that any instance which the hon. Member has in mind is exceptional.