§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied with the working of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969;
(2) what representations he has received about the workings of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969;
(3) whether he will now take steps to introduce legislation to restore to justices the power to impose effective custodial sentences upon juveniles in appropriate cases.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonTogether with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales my right hon. Friend has received representations about the working of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 from a number of quarters, including the magistracy, local authorities, and a number of other organisations and individuals. The Act itself has been in operation only since 1971, while the community homes system has only been fully in operation for 18 months; some of the more far-reaching provisions 435W of the Act have not so far been implemented. But we are well aware of the nature and extent of concern about its operation, and my right hon. Friends and I are studying the difficulties that have been put to us.