The executive's proposals will be unveiled this week

Margaret Curran was speaking ahead of the publication of a bill aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour.

There have been reports that children as young as 10 could be tagged - but the minister said that was open to debate.

Ms Curran told BBC Scotland that the age limits would form part of the consultation.

Speaking on the Politics Show, she said: "We won't mention a particular age within it and we will certainly take views on that."

She said the Scottish Executive was proposing a "rounded package" of measures to tackle the problem of youth crime.

Criminal behaviour

"We are going to introduce electronic tagging for under-16s," said the MSP for Glasgow Ballieston.

"We are about to produce a comprehensive consultation paper which will look at a raft of measures and that will be part of the discussion.

"But there is no doubt that there are serious issues of criminal behaviour in the under-16 age group and it is something we must tackle."

Annabel Goldie said the current system should be examined

She said tagging was preferable to placing youngsters in secure accommodation and could be in the best interests of the offender.

The bill is due to be unveiled on Thursday by the executive.

It will also cover anti-social behaviour orders and powers to hold parents to account for their children's behaviour.

Scottish Tory justice spokeswoman Annabel Goldie said her party supported efforts to tackle the problem of young offenders.

"What we want to be sure about is that we are using the current systems properly," she said.

"If it is the case that we have existing provisions which would deal with troublesome recurring young offenders then we really aught to look at these provisions before we start making new law."

There is no doubt that there are serious issues of criminal behaviour in the under-16 age group and it is something we must tackle Margaret Curran Communities Minister

The 1995 Criminal Procedure Act threatens parents with fines or imprisonment if they breach a court order requiring them to co-operate in securing their child's good behaviour.

Ms Curran said there was a strong case for encouraging parents to take a more active role where their offspring are out of control.

She said the executive's moves to introduce parental orders took things "one stage further" than the existing law.

"We are introducing a much more comprehensive approach to that and we are saying a degree of compulsion is required to ensure it.