HC Deb 05 May 1977 vol 931 cc223-4W
21. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the recommendation of the Eleventh Report of the Expenditure Committee that juvenile courts have restored to them powers over the disposal of young offenders.

Mr. John

We explained in paragraphs 23 to 30 of the White Paper (Cmnd. 6494) published last year why we did not accept the Expenditure Committee recommendation that the courts should have power to make a "secure care order" when a juvenile already the subject of a care order appears before them. We are, however, continuing to discuss with representatives of both the Magistrates' Association and local authorities the problem of the care and control of the minority of particularly difficult and persistent juvenile offenders.