§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any proposals for legislation or a code of conduct concerning the minimum age at which a child can be left unsupervised.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. Wilful neglect of a child aged under 16 by a person aged 16 or over with responsibility for the child is already an offence in certain circumstances (section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933). Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 there is a duty on local authorities to investigate reports that children are at risk—such as young children being left alone.