15. Mrs. Slaterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for legislation to deal with the problem of young persons committed to the care of local authorities until 18 years of age, bearing in mind that a local authority has no powers of restraint over such persons over 17 years of age.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI feel sure that Lord Ingleby's Committee on Children and Young Persons will study this problem, and that we shall be in a better position to consider the need for legislation when they have reported.
Mrs. SlaterMay I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply? Will he bear in mind that local government officers dealing with children's committee work are extremely concerned about this, and that while there may be few cases, they are always very serious?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, I am aware of that.