HC Deb 07 April 1987 vol 114 c205W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will redefine the term runaway, for his Department's purposes, as a young person, aged under 17 years or in local authority care, who has either left home or residential care of his or her own accord but without agreement, or who is forced to leave, and is missing for one or more nights; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

The Department does not have a formal definition of the term runaway.