§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland for what purpose he introduced rule 13 for the conduct of children's panels relating to the custody of persons by police or prison officers; and on what date did it become effective.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1987, c. 214]: The rule was introduced so that an escorting officer who considers that he must accompany his prisoner throughout a children's hearing shall have the right to be present in the hearing room. It remains open to the chairman of a hearing to suggest to an escorting officer that he should remain outside to allow the hearing to proceed with maximum privacy. Chief constables and prison authorities have been asked to ensure that such requests are treated sympathetically, where possible. The new rule became operative on 2 February 1987.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reason did he not reappoint from the children's panels in Ayrshire Mr. Alexander Baird and Mr. Ian Bigham; on what date this action became effective; and what representations he has received on this matter.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1987, c. 214]: Mr. Baird's term of appointment ended on 18 May 1986 and I accepted a recommendation from the Children's Panel Advisory Committee that he should not be offered a further term. Mr. Bigham was removed from office on 9 September 1986. I shall write to the hon. Member about the background to these decisions.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the powers of the children's panels in relation to
286W
Effect of non-transferable allowances1 at 1987–88 income levels Paying less tax Paying more tax Total income (lower limit) Numbers Annual tax change Numbers Annual tax change Annual tax change £ per week thousands £ million thousands £ million £ million Married couples—both earning Under 60 — — 10 — — 60 to 100 — — 280 65 65 100 to 150 — — 580 245 245 150 to 200 5 2negligible 800 340 340 200 to 300 5 2negligible 2,190 845 845 300 to 400 10 2negligible 1,610 600 600 Over 400 90 -55 1,190 430 370 All 120 -60 6,650 2,525 2,465 Married couples—one earning Under 60 — — 180 15 15 60 to 100 — — 705 195 195 100 to 150 5 2negligible 1,100 360 360 150 to 200 — — 1,110 390 390 200 to 300 40 -5 1,635 575 575 300 to 400 25 -5 55 196 180 Over 400 55 -70 390 220 150 All 120 -80 5,640 1,950 1,870 Both groups 240 -140 12,290 4,475 4,335 1 At £2,425 for both aged and non-aged. 2 Negligible means less than £3 million. access to all relevant files on the children appearing before them, or their families; on whose discretion panel members are given access to such files; and what is the authority for this arrangement.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1987, c. 214]: The reporter to the children's panel is required to make such initial investigations as he thinks necessary of any case of a child which is referred to him. If he refers a case to a children's hearing, he is required under the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Rules 1986 to provide the hearing members, in advance, with copies of any information or document which is material to the consideration of the case before the hearing. Members of children's panels have no other statutory rights of access to the reporter's records.