§ Mr. Deedesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now state the Government's plans with regard to the report of the Ingleby Committee on Children and Young Persons.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerA number of the Committee's recommendations were implemented in the Criminal Justice Act, 1961. The Government agree with most of the recommendations, including the recommendation that local authorities should have new powers to prevent or forestall the suffering of children through neglect in their own homes. I am not, however, persuaded that the time is opportune to raise the age of criminal responsibility; and there are other proposals, of less general importance, which are still under consideration. It is as yet too early to forecast when legislation will be possible since there will not be time this session.