HC Deb 16 June 1999 vol 333 cc161-2W
Mr. Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent of the use to date of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 relating to(a) child curfews, (b) anti-social behaviour orders and (c) parenting orders. [86921]

Mr. Boateng

The child curfew provisions were brought into force on 30 September 1998. Local authorities wishing to impose them must consult locally and seek the Home Secretary's approval. No applications have yet been received. They are available to form part of integrated local action to reduce crime and disorder, and local authorities will wish to take into account the wider crime and disorder reduction strategies currently being developed under the provisions of the Act.

The anti-social behaviour order provisions were introduced on 1 April 1999. One order has been made so far. It is for the police or local authority to decide whether to apply for one. We plan to review their use and effectiveness, and the extent to which they have been used, during their first two years.

Parenting orders have been available since 30 September 1998 and introduced progressively since then in nine youth justice pilot areas. By the end of May 1999, 67 orders had been made—a significant level of use for a pilot scheme. The results of the piloting, due to run for 18 months, will inform the process of national implementation and help to identify good practice.