§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has of the number of parents who gratuitously eject their children in the 16 to 21 years age band from the family home; what powers there are to prosecute in such cases where homelessness results; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyInformation in the form requested is not available. Local authorities have a duty to receive into care children under 17 who are abandoned or deserted by their parents or who are lost. In the year ending 31 March 1987, 100 children aged 16 were received into care for these reasons. There are no specific powers to prosecute parents who eject children aged 16 to 21 from the family home where homelessness results.