§ 4. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the unsatisfactory aspects of child emigration revealed in the report of the Women's Group on Public Welfare, a copy of which has been sent to him, after a two-year investigation, he will take steps to set up an inter-Departmental committee to arrange for some uniformity 546 and governmental control in respect of children leaving this country without parents under the various child emigration schemes.
§ Mr. EdeI do not consider that an inter-Departmental committee is necessary. The normal inter-Departmental consultations have been proceeding for some time before drafting regulations under Section 33 of the Children Act, 1948, to control the making and carrying out by voluntary organisations of arrangements for the emigration of children. When the regulations are drafted, I shall consult the Advisory Council on Child Care appointed under the Children Act.
§ Mr. DoddsIs my right hon. Friend aware that there will be much satisfaction from the statement he has made, because there has been much concern about the varying methods of the many and various voluntary organisations on this important work?