§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make it an offence for parents to be negligent as to the committing of crimes by their children.
§ Mr. MellorThe courts already have power to order parents to pay fines, compensation or costs imposed upon their children found guilty of offences, or to enter into recognisances to exercise proper care and control over696W their children; and these powers were strengthened by sections 26 to 28 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982, which came into effect in January 1983. We do not consider that further legislation is now required.