A tough bill drawn up to hit the parents of hooligan children in their pockets should be brought before MPs as soon as possible, Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Kim Young said yesterday.

And she added the 1998 bill -- which also gives powers to courts to order parent training sessions -- would help stop youngsters running riot.

Ms Young said: "Generally, society feels that parents are abandoning their responsibilities, so there must be some message we can send to make parents more responsible for their children.'' The Parental Responsibility Act -- tabled before the last General Election but never debated or passed -- aimed to allow parents to be sued in the courts for the cost of damage caused by "wilful misconduct'' by children.

And it also proposed new powers for courts to make the parents of young offenders attend "counselling or guidance sessions'' -- and to carry out specific requirements, like enforcing attendance at school.

Ms Young said the law -- similar to ones passed in the UK and around half of US states -- would help "find a method to get some better parenting skills.'' She added: "Not all parents, but some, need some help with bringing up their children.'' Ms Young spoke out after controversy erupted over the sentencing options for three youngsters -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- pleaded guilty to starting a fire which caused $1.3 million damage to Harrington Sound Primary School.

She said: "I'm not talking about any specific cases -- I'm a former member of the panel of the Family Court and I often saw parents admit they could not do anything with their children.'' Ms Young added: "Bermuda is experiencing an increase in unacceptable behaviour and violence by our young people and providing legislation requiring parents of children who are considered to be out of control to accept their traditional role of teachers of ethics and moral values... should be considered, along with counselling, assessments and treatments of the young offenders themselves.'' She said that, while US laws do include the possibility of financial penalties for parents, they are rarely used, with courts in America preferring parenting programmes.

Ms Young added: "I also agree with young children doing community service and the principle of restitution, which they should be forced to do.'' She said one case she was familiar with involved children causing damage by throwing paint about.

She added: "That's one example where young children should be made to go back and clear the mess up and would help them to understand the damage they have inflicted on other people.'' And she said that making children write and apologise -- or do it in person -- for vandalism and crime should also be considered.

Ms Young praised Juvenile and Family Courts judge Carlysle Greaves for his "keen interest'' in his work.

But she said: "Something like the Parental Responsibility Act would make his job much easier -- it deals with the whole family, instead of just the child.'' CHILDREN CLD