§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were referred to each of the region's children's panels for every month since the coming into force of the Solvent Abuse Act 1983; and how many children were dealt with by the regional panel reporters in each of the 12 months preceding the Act.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information is not available in the form requested, but of the estimated 300 referrals to reporters mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill) at column20W business and, as the table shows, contribute to financing approximately one-third of the board's total capital requirements.
249–50 on 15 February, some two thirds were in Strathclyde region. In total, 19,017 children were referred to reporters in the calendar year 1982.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many solvent abuse cases have been brought before sheriffs since the Solvent Abuse Act 1983 was introduced; of these how many were (a) referred to a children's panel,(b) referred due to a lack of proof regarding misuse and(c) not referred due to another reason; and whether records are available regarding the length of time between apprehension of a child sniffer and his referral to a panel reporter.
21W
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information is not at present available but I would not expect the number to be high since cases are referred to the sheriff only when the grounds of referral to the hearing are contested by the child or his parents.