asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what futher measures he intends to introduce to deal with the rise in juvenile crime.

The Criminal Law Act 1977 substantially increased the powers of the courts in dealing with juvenile offenders and I do not consider that any further changes in the law are at present necessary. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is encouraging the further development of intermediate treatment; the number of secure places in community homes is being steadily increased; and several new junior attendance centres have been or will soon be opened. In addition the Government's general policy of strengthening the police and encouraging local initiatives in crime prevention is directed at juvenile as well as other crime.