HC Deb 09 July 1964 vol 698 cc608-9
25. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will request the Advisory Committee on Delinquency to inquire into the relationship between education, social environment, industrial and recreational training and the problems of adolescence in community life.

Mr. Brooke

These matters so far as they relate to the problem of delinquency are all within the scope of the Advisory Committee. I think the Committee should determine its own priorities.

Mr. Henderson

Would not the Home Secretary agree that the problem of delinquency affects only a minority of young people today and that what is required is a wider examination of the moral, social and economic problems which influence young people in their everyday life?

Mr. Brooke

I think that we have a problem here. If one casts the net too wide one would never get anywhere. My Advisory Committee is making a special study of certain subjects; and other studies have been initiated which are concerned with the influence of education on young people, which are not confined to delinquency. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman examines the situation, he will find that we are making a serious and systematic study of most aspects of the matter about which he is concerned.

Mrs. Slater

Does not the Minister agree that delinquency is closely tied up with the educational provision made for these young people, and this Committee is surely concerned with the prevention of delinquency? Therefore, if what is suggested by my right hon. and learned Friend were studied by the Committee, would not it ease the problem with which the right hon. Gentleman has to deal?

Mr. Brooke

I am very glad to have members of the teaching profession on my Committee. We have already decided to set up a sub-committee to consider the extent of the connection beween delinquency and, for example, the difficulty of adjustment at the time of transition from school life to working life.