§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when consolidating legislation to create consistent definitions and terminology within the youth justice system will come into effect. [145173]
§ Paul GogginsWe have no plans to make consolidating legislation on youth justice.
We published on 8 September a consultative document "Youth Justice—The Next Steps" as a companion document to the main Green Paper "Every Child Matters". In "Youth Justice—The Next Steps" we set out a number of proposals, including clarification of the purpose of sentencing a juvenile, and simplification of sentencing. The consultation period ended on 1 December and we are currently analysing the responses. Some of our proposals, if taken forward, will require legislation. This would be brought forward as soon as Parliamentary time permits.