asked the Minister for Justice the number of those appearing before the Children's Court for the years 1976 to 1986 inclusive; and if he will give a breakdown of these figures according to sex, age and postal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Children's Court Statistics.
52.
The caseload for the Metropolitan Children's Court is readily available only from the legal year 1977. It was:—
|
Legal year ended 31 July |
Caseload |
|
1977 |
19,651 |
|
1978 |
21,157 |
|
1979 |
19,749 |
|
1980 |
19,813 |
|
1981 |
16,387 |
|
1982 |
15,663 |
|
1983 |
14,468 |
|
1984 |
12,980 |
|
1985 |
12,660 |
|
1986 |
11,351 |
The caseload is obtained by counting the number of charges. It does not, therefore, correspond with the number of children appearing before the Court. The exact information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be complied without a disproportionate expenditure of staff time.