§ Baroness Faithfullasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many offenders were dealt with in the juvenile court in the most recent year for which figures are available; and
How many young offenders would be dealt with annually in the new youth court if the rate of cautioning of 17 year-olds remained at its present level and what proportion of these would be aged 16 or 17; and
How many young offenders would be dealt with annually in the new youth court, if the rate of cautioning of 17 year-olds increased to the current rate for 16 year-olds and what proportion of these would be aged 16 or 17.
Earl FerrersForty-four thousand, five hundred juveniles were prosecuted in juvenile courts in 1990. Information for 1991 is not yet available. If the cautioning rates for 17 year-olds continue at current levels, the number of defendants dealt with in the new youth courts, which are to be introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991, will rise to 93,100. Seventy-four per cent. of these defendants will be aged 16 or 17.
If the cautioning rate for 17 year-olds were to rise to match current rates for 16 year-olds, the number of defendants dealt with annually could be 76,400. Sixty-eight per cent. of these defendants will be aged 16 or 17.