§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Home Secretary to what extent there has been a fall in 1457W juvenile crime; and what are the latest police reports on this subject from the Home Counties?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe number of boys or girls under 17 found guilty of indictable offences in summary courts in England and Wales during the first eight months of 1942 was less by nearly 18 per cent. than the corresponding number for the first eight months of 1941. No later figures for the whole country are yet available, but the reports received from the police authorities in Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire show a decrease of 12 per cent. in the total figure of 1942 as compared with 1941. In the Metropolitan Police District the figure for juveniles aged 14 to 16 was about 11 per cent. less in 1942 than in 1941, but there was an increase of over 18 per cent. for children under 14.