Written question asked by Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 2 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 November 1998. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many local authorities have applied to introduce a local child curfew. - Inc fig.

Answer: Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have applied to introduce a local child curfew; and if he will make a statement. [58457] Mr. Boateng: Local child curfews are a new provision which will help a local authority develop its community safety strategy. The aim of such curfews is two fold. They will address the need to protect young children from being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, and they will protect communities from the misery and distress which can be caused by groups of unsupervised children. The power of local authorities to make a local child curfew scheme is an enabling one. It only came into force on 30 September 1998. Not surprisingly, therefore, no applications for local child curfew schemes have been received so far.

Secondary information