§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they are refusing to legislate by public Bill regarding children in Northern Ireland and the related criminal justice matters; and whether the Northern Ireland Grand Committee has considered or will consider their draft proposals.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)Legislation by Order in Council is the normal course for criminal justice matters concerned solely with Northern Ireland and it would not therefore be appropriate to bring forward legislation in respect of juvenile justice in the form of a Bill. We shall shortly be publishing for consultation a Proposal for a draft Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order. The Northern Ireland parties will then be free to request a Grand Committee debate on the draft legislation, should they so wish.