§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been found not guilty as a result of the operation of the presumption of doli incapax in each year for the last 10 years. [19814]
§ Mr. MichaelThis information is not collected centrally. However a not guilty outcome as a result of the presumption of doli incapax is neither in the interests of the child or children concerned nor in the interests of the public. It is clearly important that the court is not prevented from dealing with the youngster when there is no doubt about the facts of the case.