Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons, which reported in December, 1925, and also those of the Departmental Committee on the Treatment of Young Offenders, which reported in March, 1927, other than those covered by the Home Office Circulars issued on 30th September, 1927, and 20th July, 1928?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt would be impracticable in the course of an answer to a Parliamentary question to refer in detail to the various matters dealt with by the two Committees, which,440W as my Noble Friend is aware, covered a very wade field. A new Report of the Children's Branch will be issued in the course of a few days and this will give some account of the progress made. The two Circulars mentioned dealt fully with many aspects of the subject of young offenders, including the important questions of the organisation of Juvenile Courts and the use of hostels and homes in connection with the probation system as an alternative to imprisonment, and showed how much could be done by the Justices under their existing powers. I understand that in many places the Justices have carefully considered these Circulars and have arranged to modify their practice in accordance with the recommendations. A Circular was issued to Justices on 17th September, 1926, as regards the recommendations of the Sexual Offences Committee, and I am considering, with the aid of the best advice I can obtain, whether it would be right at a suitable opportunity to propose changes either in law or in the practice of the Higher Courts in some of the many directions indicated by the Committee. As to those recommendations which cannot be carried out without legislation, the Government are most anxious to introduce a Bill to amend the Children Act as soon as Parliamentary time can be found.
Viscountess ASTORasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Treatment of Young Offenders, which has recently been printed under the title "Protection and Training"?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis Report has been receiving careful consideration by the various Departments concerned, and it is proposed to issue at an early date Circulars dealing with such matters as do not involve legislation. Many of the recommendations involve legislation and these are being considered in conjunction with the legislative recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Children and Young Persons in Scotland with a view to the introduction, when Parliamentary time permits, of legislation amending the Children Act, 1908, and dealing with probation and other matters.