§ Baroness Macleod of Borveasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, if a child is committed into the care of a local authority in a residential home, responsibility for his actions rests with the local authority or the child's parents.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Trefgarne)A local authority has the same powers and duties as a parent in respect of a juvenile committed to its care, and its vicarious liability for civil wrongs done by such a youngster is governed by the normal rules of common law. As regards criminal offences, although any juvenile convicted is held to have been responsible for his actions the court can order a parent or guardian to pay a financial penalty imposed on him. A recent judgment of this House has, however, held that a local authority cannot be ordered to pay under this provision when a financial penalty is imposed on a juvenile in its care.
House adjourned at five minutes before one o'clock.