§ 114. Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Depaitinent whether he will issue an instruction or regulation under Clause 82 of the Children and Young Persons Act so that in cases where children or young persons commit an offence by escaping from approved schools they will not be sent to Borstal and thereby branded for the rest of their lives as being guilty of a criminal offence.
§ Mr. EdeOn the general question of this provision I would refer to the reply I gave on 23rd January to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, North (Major Bruce), but I have no power to instruct the courts not to make use of a power conferred on them by Act of Parliament.
§ 116. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the. Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances relating to the escape of 10 boys from Standon Farm Home, an approved school near Stoke-on-Trent.
§ Mr. EdeIn view of the close connection between the circumstances of this absconding and the criminal charge which has been preferred against the boys concerned, I think it would be better for me to refrain from making any statement while the case issub judice.