§ Mr. David MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new methods his Department is proposing to deal more effectively into persistent juvenile offenders.
§ Mr. MacleanI refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend, the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 2 March at columns 139–42, in which he announced the Government's intention to426W provide courts with a new sentence, provisionally entitled a secure training order, to assist them in dealing with persistent juvenile offenders aged 12 to 15. We will bring the necessary legislation before the House as soon as possible.
§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in enabling young people who have committed serious offences and represent a danger to the community to be named at an early stage.
§ Mr. MacleanWe are examining the current legislation closely to determine the extent of the present restrictions on publication in order to see what precise changes are necessary. We are determined to come forward with proposals as soon as possible with a view to introducing the necessary legislation in the next Session.
§ Mr. Donald AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often, over the most recent period for which figures are available, courts have hound over the parents of(a) children under 16 years who have committed criminal offences and (b) 16 and 17-year-olds who have committed criminal offences.
§ Mr. MacleanInformation for 1991 is given in the table. Data for 1992 will not be available until the autumn.
Number of parents or guardians ordered to enter into a recognisance if juvenile found guilty of a criminal offence by age of juvenile, 1991 England and Wales Age of offender Number of parents or guardians 10 to under 16 years 3 16 to under 18 years 1 Total under 18 years 4