Young Delinquents

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 November 1960.

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Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton 12:00, 24 November 1960

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate an investigation into the social, congenital and domestic background of young persons who have been charged with assault, violence and serious delinquency in the Metropolitan Police area during the first three or six months of this year.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

As the hon. Member will have seen from the list at the end of last year's White Paper on Penal Practice in a Changing Society, we are already engaged in or helping with a number of research studies concerned with young delinquents, and two new studies which we hope will begin soon in London may help to identify the special characteristics in their background.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the investigation that he says is now being made covers the aspects mentioned in the Question? Also, is there likely to be a comprehensive report on the investigation in due course?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I will certainly look into the possibility of a report. I shall be obliged if the hon. Gentleman will have a conversation with me about the exact details that these studies cover.