HC Deb 02 November 1937 vol 328 cc748-9W
Mr. Westwood

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware of the sentence to birching of two boys, aged nine and 14, at Airdrie Sheriff Court; whether the ordinary court procedure was followed in this case; whether, being juveniles, any probation officer was asked to provide a report on the case; and what action, if any, does he propose to take to ensure that the law, in its application to juvenile courts and the hearing of charges against juveniles, is given effect to in the letter and the spirit in Scottish courts?

Mr. Elliot

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am informed that there was available to the Court all the information required by the Regulations and necessary for the disposal of the case, and that the Probation Officer, who had been formally notified of the case, was in attendance, and was offered an opportunity of addressing the Court. The last part of the question does not arise.

Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of convictions in the juvenile court of Maryhill, Glasgow, for the years ended September, 1936, and September, 1937, respectively?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that the findings of guilt recorded against juveniles in the Maryhill Court during the years ended 30th September, 1936. and 30th September, 1937, were 370 and 554 respectively.

Mr. Westwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the many public protests against the sentences of birching passed on boys of 14, 11, and 9 years of age in the sheriffs courts of Airdrie and Falkirk; and what action, if any, does he propose to put an end to the infliction of such sentences upon children?

Mr. Elliot

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shettleston on the 28th October, the sentence of birching was not carried out in the case of the boy of nine years of age in view of the certificate of the police surgeon; and, with regard to the second part, the whole question of corporal punishment is at present under investigation by a committee which was appointed in May last by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and myself.

Mr. Westwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many juvenile courts have been set up in Scotland; where they have been set up; if he is satisfied with the progress made; and what action he proposes to encourage and enable local authorities to set up juvenile courts?

Mr. Elliot

Juvenile courts constituted under the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, 1932, are held at Paisley, Greenock and Giffnock in Renfrewshire and at Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews and Cupar in Fife. The setting-up of similar courts in other areas was necessarily delayed pending a decision in the special case concerning legal difficulties involved in the working of the courts. I hope shortly to be in a position to make Orders under which juvenile courts will be set up in Ayrshire and the City of Aberdeen, and by means of a general circular to expedite progress in other areas.