Oral Answers to Questions

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown Excerpts

Tuesday 19th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Wright]

Yes, and what my hon. Friend says about the importance of early intervention is entirely right. I take this opportunity to thank him and his colleagues on the Select Committee on Justice for the report that they produced last week. It was extremely welcome and we will look at it in detail and respond in due course. What he says about early intervention is important, and we will certainly work with colleagues across Government to ensure that that continues.

[Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP)]

What part does the Minister believe that parental responsibility and a stable family unit play in preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system?

[Jeremy Wright]

The hon. Gentleman is right. Early intervention is crucial and we want to make sure that it looks not just at criminal justice, but at family structures, education and health care. A whole range of different interests across Government must be represented in this exercise if we are truly to get to the bottom of the many problems and often chaotic background that some young people come from.