§ Q3. Mr. John Fraserasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Home Department and the Department of Health and Social Security in the implementation of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. FraserDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that if we are to have any long-term impact on rising crime figures we can do so only by ensuring that there are adequate resources for dealing with juvenile offenders? Does he also agree that those who have to deal with children are not always responding to a crisis. Further, is he concerned about the rising number of convictions for violent crime committed by young people, which rose at an even greater rate than the 40 per cent. rise in violent crime that has taken place since the Government first came to office?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We shall be able to make real progress, or the amount of progress that the House wants to see, only when we can produce more and more resources to do so. Of course, there is concern about the number of convictions but, on the other hand, one of the matters that has exercised the hon. Gentleman and hon. Members on both sides of the House is the age of prosecution. Action has been taken through advice to the police. I am told that 59,000 or just on 60,000 juveniles under 17 were cautioned by the police. That represents 50 per cent. of those who were prosecuted. The point I wish to make is that the numbers now being handled by way of cautions have increased considerably.
§ Mr. FowlerHas not one of the difficulties of the Act been the extreme reluctance on the Hart of some children's departments to send children into residential care—a policy that is not always in the interests of either the children or the public? Will my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made in the implementation of community homes?
§ The Prime MinisterIf my hon. Friend will let me or the Secretary of State for the Home Department have information of instances where this has been happening we shall gladly see whether action can be taken.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the major part of the Act is still in cold storage? Further, does he appreciate that the planning and consultation for that legislation began as early as late 1964? Does he 369 accept that it was intended that the legislation would meet needs which were acute then and which have since increased in intensity? Is he sure that it is not possible that the right wing of the Magistrates Association, with its traditional reactionaries, might have nobbled the Government on this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot agree that the major part of the Act is in cold storage. That is not correct, on the information that I have before me. The Act has been substantially implemented. There are, I think, four sections which remain still to be implemented in part or in whole. I have here a list of the matters that have been implemented in the Act. I do not want to bore the House with that list. I shall either let the hon. Gentleman have a copy or put the list into the OFFICIAL REPORT to show how much has been done.
§ Mr. PardoeWe should be concerned about crimes committed by juveniles, but we should be even more concerned about crimes committed against juveniles. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in recent years there has been a significant increase in the so-called "baby-bashing" syndrome? Does he realise that very few such cases ever come to court? Further, does he not think that there is a need to amend the law and to give babies the same protection as older children and adults?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall certainly have that matter investigated if the hon. Gentleman wishes. That point is not concerned with the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.