§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 140 boys under 16, one of 704W them being under 12, and three girls under 16 were committed to prison on conviction in England and Wales during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1910; and if he will state the circumstances of these committals?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThese figures are given in the report of the Prison Commissioners. The great majority of the cases were committed to prison before the date when Section 112 of the Children Act, 1908, took effect, viz., 1st January, 1910. That Act prohibits the committal of children to prison, and allows that of young persons under sixteen only in very exceptional circumstances; and I understand that very few "young persons" have been sent to prison since that date.