HC Deb 17 December 1996 vol 287 cc579-80W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles were(a) cautioned and (b) found guilty of indictable offences, in each of the last 17 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [9091]

Mr. Maclean

Information available centrally on the number of young offenders cautioned and found guilty for indictable offences is published annually in "Criminal Statistics England and Wales". Table 5.26 of the 1995 edition, table 5.23 of the 1989 edition and table 5.19 of the 1983 edition refer.

Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of recorded offenders were juveniles in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [9092]

Mr. Maclean

The information is given in the table.

Persons aged 10 to 17 found guilty or cautioned for indictable offences as a proportion of all offenders by sex 1991–95
England and Wales
Percentages
Sex 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Males 26 25 24 24 25
Females 32 33 31 34 34
Persons 27 27 25 26 26

Sir Ivan Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the joint statement on the sentencing of persistent young offenders recently issued by the Magistrates Association and Justices' Clerks Society. [9860]

Mr. Maclean

I very much welcome this excellent statement which encourages speedier sentencing of persistent young offenders.

The statement suggests that, when dealing with those who have committed multiple or "spree" offences, it would be right for the court to sentence for the offences currently before it rather than wait for further alleged offences to come to trial. Such steps should help to reduce the number of adjournments that may be needed, speed up youth justice and ensure that these offenders are promptly and properly punished.

I commend the Magistrates Association and Justices' Clerks Society for drawing up this guidance, which has been widely distributed within the criminal justice system.