§ 30. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children being cared for by the local authorities in Scotland under the Children Act, 1948; the number of children in family homes; the number of children in large institutions and homes; and if he is satisfied that the local authorities are doing all that is possible to reduce and replace institutional care in favour of home life care.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe number of children in the care of local authorities in Scotland at 15th November last was 8,496. Of these, 5,623 were boarded out with foster parents; 1,112 were in children's homes provided by local authorities, and 1,480 were in voluntary homes. The remaining 281 were on that date in child guidance centres, hospitals, convalescent homes or National Assistance Act premises. As regards the last part of the Question, the possibility of extending still further the use of boarding out is at present being considered by the Scottish Advisory Council on child care, from whom I expect an early report.