Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that sexual offences against children have increased during 1928; that the number of indecent assaults against boys have increased to 125 and on girls to 959: and whether, in view of these facts. ho will state what further steps he proposes to take to carry out the recommendations made three years ago by the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe figures cited, which relate not to the total number of offences committed, but only to the numbers of persons proceeded against in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, refer to the year 1926 and not to the year 1928, for which year statistics will not be available for some time to come. In 1927 the 953W corresponding figure for assaults on boys was 167, a rise of 42; and for assaults on girls 935, a fall of 24. The question whether further action can usefully be taken on the Report of the Committee is still under consideration, mainly in connection with the proposed amendment of the Children's Act.