HC Deb 08 May 1975 vol 891 cc1604-5
12. Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the current restrictions on news media reports of juvenile court proceedings.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Freud

Is the Minister of State aware that when restrictions stop the media from publishing the name of a person appearing before a juvenile court, the fact that they are allowed to publish the age and location means that in a small village where there are only two 12-year old boys a great deal of suspicion falls on everyone in that age group in that location? In view of the total pointlessness of publishing that sort of restricted information, would not it be possible to have a real ban on publishing in any way which might enable an offender to be identified?

Mr. Lyon

Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 prohibits the disclosure of any particulars calculated to lead to the identification of any child or young person concerned in court proceedings. In the circumstances outlined by the hon. Gentleman, the disclosure of the age of a child would, in my view, be a breach of that Act.