HC Deb 17 March 1977 vol 928 c243W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Attorney-General if he will order special training for magistrates sitting in cases involving non-accidental injury to children, in the light of the Wayne Brewer case.

The Attorney-General

After considering advice tendered to him by his Advisory Committee on the Training of Magistrates, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor directed in April 1976 the adoption by Magistrates' Courts Committees throughout the country of a comprehensive new training syllabus for magistrates sitting in the juvenile courts which gives prominence to both the legal and the practical aspects of the protection of children through care proceedings, and to adequate liaison between social workers and the police. This is now being implemented. My noble Friend will consider whether further measures in respect of the training of magistrates are desirable in the light of cases arising from time to time, including that referred to in the Question.