§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an urgent inquiry into the increase of "non-accidental injuries" to children, taking into account any evidence that the number of incidents being reported represents only a small part of the total and the figures showing that the number of parental prosecutions is low and varies widely over differing parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Sir George YoungMy right hon. Friend takes the problem of child abuse extremely seriously but he does not consider that an inquiry into it would serve any useful purpose. Action to deal with child abuse must lie with local agencies. Over recent years the Department has given a great deal of advice to agencies on the subject to which they have responded positively. I have no evidence that there is an alarming increase in the abuse of children, although the efforts made to increase both public and professional awareness of the problem may have resulted in more cases being identified.