§ Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the opinions expressed in the current Report of the children's branch of his Department as to the advances made in the number and the success of placing young offenders on probation, together with the Prison Com- 302W missioners' endorsement of such action, he will state what action is being taken to bring these suggestions before the Courts who are deemed to be backward in this regard?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSCopies of the Report and various circulars have been sent to the Courts. Individual cases have been taken up with particular Courts and officials of the Home Office have discussed the development of the probation system with groups of magistrates. Further progress in this direction will be marked by the legislative changes embodied in Part I of the Criminal Justice Bill.