§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has received the memorandum on the Fourth Consultative Paper (Children Bill), dated November 1974, from the Justices' Clerks' Society, relating to protection of the interests of children in the courts; and whether he will make a statement on his policy towards its recommendations;
(2) whether he will make a further statement on the representations he has received from the Justices' Clerks' Society on the working of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonMy right hon. Friend and I, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, are taking careful note of the views of the Justices' Clerks' Society in studying the representations made to us on the working of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.
As to the protection of the interests of children before the courts, I ask the 219W hon. Member to await the introduction of the Government's Children Bill.