§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he estimates that any increase in the work of probation officers will occur in the early stages of implementing the Children and Young Persons Act; and what plans he has in this connection.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe answer to the first part of the Question is "No". Since 1st January, 1971, local authorities have taken over some of the work formerly carried out by the probation service in relation to children under the age of 10 appearing before juvenile courts. The Government intend, as resources become available, to raise by stages to 14 the age below which this work will normally be the responsibility of local authorities.