§ 28. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Education if he has considered the increase in crimes by young persons in Great Britain during each of the last ten years in relation to the British educational system; what conclusions he has reached; and what steps he is taking so to improve British education as to minimise such crimes.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy right hon. Friend does not consider that any useful conclusion could be drawn by comparing the statistics for juvenile crime with the statistics of rising expenditure by his Department.
§ Mr. HughesHas the Minister made no attempt to compare what is done in 558 other civilised countries with a view to attempting to solve this urgent problem?
§ Sir E. BoyleI honestly do not think it is a criterion of civilisation to try to make the statistical comparison the hon. and learned Gentleman suggests. The responsibility for training our young people to be good citizens is shared between parents, the schools and the community. I am sure that teachers will continue to do all in their power to bring up children in the way they should go; but obviously they cannot do everything.