§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies his Department has evaluated into the correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and juvenile crime; if he will make it his policy to ensure that juveniles convicted of more than three crimes should be assessed for ADHD by a medical practitioner competent in the pharmacological treatment of this condition; and if he will make a statement. [11539]
§ Mr. MacleanI have been asked to reply.
The Cambridge study of delinquent development, which was largely funded by the Home Office, found, among other results, that the incidence of hyperactivity, attention deficit and impulsivity at ages eight to 10 years independently predicted future juvenile convictions. However, the causes of juvenile delinquency are complex and wide ranging, and hyperactivity is only one of many. The Government have no plans to amend their policies in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.