DETENTION OF CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON IN PLACE OF SAFETY (Hansard, 9 June 1969)

§ Mr. Callaghan

I beg to move Amendment No. 80, in page 27, line 40, at end insert: 'and inform him, and take such steps as are practicable for informing his parent or guardian, of his right to apply to a justice under subsection (5) of this section for his release'. This Amendment and Amendment No. 81, which is consequential upon it, give an additional protection to the child or young person. Its purpose is to require a police officer who is responsible for placing the young person in a place of safety to inform him of his right to apply to a justice and the police themselves to take such steps as are practicable to inform his parent or guardian.

The object of the Amendment is to ensure that the child and parents are aware of their rights under Clause 22(5). I think that this is done at present, because it is left to the discretion of the police, but it will now be incorporated in the Statute, and this constitutes an additional protection.