Black and Minority-ethnic Children: Police Strip-searches Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Bishop of Derby
Main Page: Lord Bishop of Derby (Bishops - Bishops)Department Debates - View all Lord Bishop of Derby's debates with the Home Office
(1 year, 5 months ago)
Lords ChamberI do not feel particularly qualified to comment on that.
My Lords, I declare an interest as vice-chair of the Children’s Society. I join other noble Lords in expressing horror at the findings of the Children’s Commissioner’s report. It is vital that children are treated as children at all times. Can the Minister reassure the House that children are treated and recognised as children within every aspect of the criminal justice system?
In areas where the Home Office collects data—for example, on custody—I can reassure the House that that is the case. For example, in 99% of cases where searches involved children in custody, an appropriate adult was present. Obviously, this report has identified failings in other parts of the system. We are awaiting the right inputs in order to make a detailed and thoughtful review, and as soon as that is the case I am sure I will be able to give the right reverend Prelate more broad reassurance.