HC Deb 07 July 1997 vol 297 cc610-1
18. Mr. Hutton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle offending by young people. [5525]

Mr. Straw

We are pursuing a wide-ranging programme of change, including fast-track punishment for persistent young offenders, ending the practice of repeat police cautions, new powers for courts to impose reparation and action plan orders, and actions to make the youth courts more effective.

Mr. Hutton

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that magistrates courts need the widest possible range of sentencing options available to them if they are to deal properly with the criminal behaviour of young offenders, who can cause such misery to decent, law-abiding citizens? In particular, does he agree that that should include the availability of secure accommodation, which the previous Government completely failed to deliver?

Mr. Straw

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is clear that magistrates courts must themselves have a specific responsibility for the sentences that they wish to see imposed in respect of young offenders. It was frankly absurd for the previous Administration to set up a system whereby there was a constant shuttlecock between the courts on the one hand and social services on the other, with neither being clear as to which had responsibility for dealing with persistent young offenders.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he will have given no comfort to those in the volunteering and voluntary organisations today by the lack of mention of their role and their disappointment at the summary return to the Home Office? Will he pay tribute to Nicholas Ward and the "Make a difference" team for all their work? Does he agree that worthwhile activities for young people are extremely important if they are to be prevented from becoming involved in crime?

Mr. Straw

I am delighted to pay tribute to the voluntary sector, when I am asked a question about it.