Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his policy towards the substitution in some cases which would otherwise have been prosecuted before the juvenile bench of a reference to a juvenile bureau.
§ Mr. MellorDecisions on whether or not to prosecute are a matter for the chief officer of police. Guidelines on cautioning, issued in February 1985, asked forces to ensure that juveniles were not prosecuted unless it was absolutely necessary and advised that decisions should be taken in consultation with other agencies. A copy of Home Office circular 14/1985 is available in the Library.