Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary how far the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons as to procedure in the Courts have been carried out; and whether it is the intention 2072W of the Government to introduce legislation to amend the law in respect of offences against young persons as recommended by the Committee in their Report?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe recommendations of the Committee were brought to the notice of all Courts of Summary Jurisdiction by the circular of 17th September, 1926, special attention being called to certain of them, but I cannot say how far the Courts have acted upon the recommendations, many of which relate to matters which must be left to their discretion. As regards the suggestion for legislation, one recommendation for extending time for taking certain proceedings was embodied in the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1928, and the others will be borne in mind when time can be found for the Children Bill amending the law as to children and young persons.