HC Deb 25 July 1974 vol 877 cc528-9W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people under the age of 18 years have been convicted of arson and detained in the care of the Home Secretary under the Children and Young Persons Act 1972.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people under the age of 21 years have been convicted of manslaughter, by reason of diminished responsibility, over the past 10 years and detained under Section 60 of the Mental Health Act; and how many were released within five, six and seven years, respectively.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

During the 10 calendar years 1964 to 1973, 42 persons under the age of 21 were so convicted and ordered to be detained under Section 60 of the Mental Health Act, one on two occasions; in all but three cases the offender was ordered to be subject to the special restrictions set out in Section 65 of the Act. Of these, one unrestricted patient and two restricted patients were discharged within five years, one restricted patient after five years but less than six, and one unrestricted patient after six years but less than seven. The rest are still detained.

Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people under the age of 18 years have been convicted of murder in the last 10 years; and how many were released on parole or licence within two, three, four, five and six years, respectively.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Between 1st January 1964 and 30th December 1973, 52 persons aged 18 or under were convicted in England and Wales of murders committed before they were 18 and were ordered to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure under Section 53(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Of these, three have been transferred to detention in hospital under Section 72 of the Mental Health Act 1959 and are still so detained; one has been transferred to Scotland, where he is still detained; one was released on licence after four years; and the remaining 47 are still detained.