HL Deb 19 March 1969 vol 300 cc877-8

2.43 p.m.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is really necessary for the Director of Public Prosecutions to be asked for his consent before a case can be withdrawn in a juvenile court; whether this additional delay is in the best interests of the children concerned, and whether forthcoming changes might not substitute for this the consent of the court.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend will appreciate that because I have had only short notice of this Question I am not in a position to give any considered reply. Perhaps therefore he will consider re-tabling his question at some convenient future date.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend and understanding his difficulties in the circumstances, may I ask him two questions on minor matters? Would he not agree that it is a bad thing that there should he anything on the Statute Book which makes the trials of juveniles before the juvenile courts any slower than they need be? And would he not agree that a time when major legislation in this field is in progress is a very good time to take a second look at this matter?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, in the absence of time to look into this matter, it seems to me that both my noble friend's questions are hypothetical. Therefore I think it would be better if I did not attempt to answer them.