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Mr. Bright
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to make parents responsible for injuries to persons arising from criminal offences committed by minors.
Mr. Brittan
Following conviction a court may order an offender to pay compensation for any personal injury resulting from the offence. Where a court orders a juvenile to pay compensation it may, and must if the offender is under the age of 14, order that the sum be paid by the parent or guardian, unless satisfied that the parent or guardian cannot be found or has not conduced to the commission of the offence by neglecting to exercise due care and control of the offender. I do not think it is right or necessary for vicarious liability to be carried any further than this.