§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in view of the growing practice of school pupils deliberately staying away from school and organising themselves into schoolchildren shoplifting groups, whether she will issue a circular to education officers and teachers to give advice on the prevention of these incidents;
(2) in view of the growing practice of organised shoplifting by schoolchildren during luncheon breaks and journeys to school, whether she will issue guidance to local authorities to make it the practice in schools for teachers to warn pupils of the seriousness of such activities.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonLast December, my Department, the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Security and the Welsh Office issued a joint circular on co-operation between the police and other agencies in the prevention of all forms of juvenile delinquency.