§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the detention of children in police cells in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKayPolice authorities and social work departments recognise that the detention of children in police cells is in general undesirable. The power given to the police to detain children in this way is exercised with care, and is used only where it is necessary to do so. Where a child is apprehended and is not released, arrangements exist for liaison with the relevant social work department to try to have the child placed in an appropriate place of safety.