§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will retain the present age of legal responsibility for children; and if he will consider making parents responsible for their children's damage.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonMy right. hon. Friend has no proposals for lowering the present age of criminal responsibility. The law already enables courts to order that fines or compensation orders imposed on juveniles should be paid by the parent or guardian, unless the court is satisfied that he or she cannot be found or has not conduced to the commission of the offence by neglecting to exercise due care or control. The courts also have power to bind over the parents of a child under the age of 17 to take proper care of him and to exercise proper control over him.