§ 29. Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that a social services department will not be subject to a fine for acts committed by children in its care unless those acts are the result of proven negligence by the department.
§ Mr. JackThe introduction of a power for the court to order a parent or guardian to pay their children's fines reflects the importance which the Government attach to ensuring that parents take responsibility for the behaviour of their children. When a local authority is in the position of a parent, we believe that it is right that the same principle should apply. But the power is permissive. A court is not required to make such an order if it considers that it would be unreasonable to do so in a particular case.