HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 cc716-7W
32. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for the latest available year, how many people under the age 10 years are known to have committed offences involving violence and for taking and driving away motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Police area.

Mr. Brittan

Children under the age of 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility and therefore cannot be guilty of an offence. However, I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that in 1978 there were four cases of assault and 31 of taking and driving away a motor vehicle where the person arrested for the offence was found to be under 10 years old.