HC Deb 18 June 1964 vol 696 cc1477-8
Q4. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he will request the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and the Minister of Labour, to undertake a joint investigation into the industrial, social and economic problems specially concerning all young people in community life.

The Prime Minister

There are already a number of research projects in hand which bear upon this matter, and my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland have recently appointed an Advisory Committee on Juvenile Delinquency to consider and advise on the problems of juvenile delinquency and on measures for its reduction. I think that the object which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind will be best served by pursuing these various projects.

Mr. Henderson

Would not the Prime Minister agree that delinquency is only one aspect of the problem of adolescence in community life and that education, social environment, industry and recreational training are all major aspects of the problem? Would not he consider having a more comprehensive inquiry into the problem of adolescence divorced from an inquiry into delinquency which is the responsibility of the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Delinquency set up by the Home Secretary?

The Prime Minister

I do not think my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary can do better than to surround himself with people who really understand these problems, get the benefit of their advice, and set up various research bodies to look into this problem. If the right hon. and learned Member has particular ideas which he would like to give to me or to my right hon. Friend, in addition to what we are doing, I should be glad to receive them.

Mrs. Slater

Does not the Prime Minister remember that there has been the Wolfenden Committee Report on sport and the Albemarle Committee Report on youth? From those two could not a start be made showing greater concern for youth problems? Will he inquire into some areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, where excellent youth work has been done and where juvenile delinquency is not so great as it is in some areas?

The Prime Minister

Following the Wolfenden Report the youth service is taking a very vigorous part in this matter and improving and extending, particularly training for youth leaders and providing new premises and the like. The Opposition need not urge us in this matter; we are anxious to do the maximum we can about a problem which concerns all parts of the House.