HC Deb 03 March 1976 vol 906 cc1301-2
17. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of children's panels.

Mr. McElhone

I am glad of this opportunity to thank children's panel members, reporters, social workers and police. Their efforts in the last five years have ensured much more thorough consideration of the needs of children in trouble and a greater involvement of parents.

Residential and supervisory resources for the increasing number of children placed under supervision remain under pressure, but the development of intermediate treatment is helping to keep more children constructively within the community. I have recently consulted a number of bodies about possible changes in the powers and procedures of children's hearings and of the courts in relation to proceedings against children. Comments are still being received.

Mr. Taylor

Does the Minister agree that the work of the children's panels is being undermined by the shortage of List D places? In those circumstances, for how many extra places has the hon. Gentleman asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent five-year spend- ing programme? What success has he had in seeking the money desperately needed for the expansion of this work?

Mr. McElhone

There will always be a need for secure places and other places in List D schools, but this is not the only way to tackle children in trouble. The emphasis should be on various forms of treatment and not necessarily List D places.

Mr. David Steel

Does the Minister agree that the children's panel system has been the subject of much ill-informed criticism and that the basic difficulty is the lack of facilities with which to carry out the work?

Mr. McElhone

I do not deny that there is a lack of facilities. I agree that the system has been much criticised and that much of the criticism is ill-informed. I wish that some of the hon. Members who criticise the children's panels would see them working. It is a good system, which is still in its infancy even though it has been going for five years. The way to tackle the problem is to give the system a chance and have confidence in the members of the children's panels.