HC Deb 13 June 1978 vol 951 cc486-7W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the procedure which must be followed by police officers when taking fingerprints of children aged 14 years and under; and if he will state the rights of parents throughout these proceedings in demanding the destruction of all records.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The fingerprints of a child aged less than 14 and charged with an offence punishable with imprisonment in the case of an adult may be taken only with the consent, wherever practicable, of his parent or guardian. Such fingerprints are destroyed, in the presence of the parent or guardian, if he so requests, where the case is not brought before a court or, if the child has no criminal record, where he is found not guilty.