HC Deb 16 November 1927 vol 210 cc1052-4W
Mr. CADOGAN

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the Young Offenders Committee?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The report of this Committee covers too wide a field to be dealt with fully in an answer to a question, but I will make a short statement. Generally speaking, I accept the principles of the Committee's scheme for dealing with neglected children and young persons and with young offenders under 21, though I must not be taken as endorsing all its recommendations, some of which involve difficulties on financial or other grounds.

Many of the recommendations do not require legislation. For instance, a great deal can be done by justices under their existing powers to establish Juvenile Courts on the lines recommended by the Committee. On the 30th September I sent out a circular on the subject to every Court of Summary Jurisdiction, and I hope that all Justices will take the opportunity of reviewing their procedure in the light of the suggestions made. In London I have appointed a small committee to consider the organisation of the Juvenile Courts. Some other proposals to which effect can be given by administrative action are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

As regards recommendations which involve legislation, I have already given instructions for the drafting of a new Children Bill to amend and possibly to consolidate the Children Act of 1908. This is a task which will take time to complete, but there will be no avoidable delay. It would be premature at the moment to say when it will be possible to introduce a Bill. It is hoped to include not only many of the recommendations of the Young Offenders Committee, but also some of the suggestions of the Sexual Offences Committee concerning Child Welfare, and of the Child Adoption Committee relating to the registration of voluntary homes.

Some of the proposals of the Young Offenders Committee would involve considerable expenditure from public funds and, as the House will readily appreciate, the consideration of these is affected by the financial situation. As I said in answer to a question the other day, I am in favour of Central Remand Homes, but there are difficulties, administrative as well as financial. The Committee did not enter fully into the details of its proposed scheme, but I am taking steps to examine the problem and to ascertain whether anything can be done now, even if only by way of an instalment of a fuller scheme.

As regards Borstal Institutions, there is already a need for one new institution and I hope that this may be provided as soon as the financial situation permits. I sympathise with the desire of the Committee to avoid the imprisonment of young offenders under the age of 21, and I propose to explore every avenue which may help to the attainment of this object so far as it is justified and practicable, but there are some cases in which a sentence of imprisonment is called for. Every encouragement is being given to the development of the probation system, and I am considering the best way of ex- tending the resources of that system by the use of hostels on the lines suggested by the Committee and in other directions.

The Report of the Committee is receiving, as it deserves, the fullest attention.