§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that young persons under 16 years of age sent to approved schools for committing offences against the law become chargeable to their parents whilst at the institution, whereas young persons over 16 years of age sent to Borstal for similar offences become a charge to the State; and whether he will introduce amending legislation to remove this anomaly?
§ Mr. LloydMy right hon. Friend is aware of this difference, but he sees no reason for departing from the principle laid down in the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, that when a court orders a child or young person to be sent to an approved school, the court may also make an order requiring the parent to contribute such weekly sum towards maintenance as the court, having regard to his means, thinks fit. The actual contribution represents as a rule only a small proportion of the total cost.