§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a Report of a Committee of the Glasgow Corporation, in which the increase in juvenile crime is ascribed to slackening of parental control, lack of moral and religious training, the want of innocent outlets for youthful energy, and the mode and surroundings of life in poor and overcrowded houses, causes all due to social neglect; is he aware that, although it is urged that birching of youthful offenders should be more resorted to by magistrates in East London, where sentences of birching have constantly decreased and are now exceedingly rare, an organised scheme of voluntary workers, acting under official probation officers, is steadily diminishing juvenile crime; and whether he will issue a circular to magistrates recommending the adoption of systems similar to that in force in East London?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have only seen a newspaper summary of the report of the Glasgow committee, and from this it appears that certain legal authorities are of opinion that harm is sometimes done by not dealing more severely with offenders in the early stages of their careers. The question when to adopt severe measures and when to make use of the Probation Act obviously depends on the circumstances of the individual case and is a matter for the discretion of the Courts. The scheme adopted last2266W year at a Metropolitan Police Court in East London for making an extensive and systematic use of volunteer probation workers will no doubt be most beneficial, but no figures are yet available as to the effect on juvenile delinquency. A circular letter to justices recommending that use should be made of volunteer helpers in probation work was issued by the Hornet Office in August, 1917.