HC Deb 04 June 1964 vol 695 cc1226-7
6. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the baby farming which has developed amongst immigrants and the increase of foster-homes, many of which are dirty, unhealthy and dangerous, run by people willing to look after babies for £2 or £3 a week, with a view to taking steps to strengthen the Children Act 1958, which makes provision for the fostering of children; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

This is a problem to which I have been giving attention for some time, and about which I know that some local authorities are concerned. The provisions for the protection of children who are privately placed with foster-parents; were strengthened by the Children Act, 1958, and the powers now available to local authorities are a good deal more extensive than has been suggested. My Department and its inspectors will continue to keep in very close touch with the local authorities and their children's officers about the full and effective exercise of the statutory powers available to them.

Sir C. Osborne

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the powers under the Children Act, 1958, are being fully employed, for is he not aware that in the last few weeks the Daily Mail has produced a series of articles giving the most appalling examples of baby farming? Surely my right hon. Friend should have this stopped and, once again, surely he will admit that this is another aspect of Commonwealth immigration which we must regret?

Hon. Members

No.

Sir C. Osborne

Oh yes, it is.

Mr. Brooke

The articles published in the Press have not been wholly correct. It is not for me to issue instructions to local authorities as to the action they should take in this matter. I am quite satisfied that there are powers in the hands of the local authorities, which some of them are not exercising. They would be well advised to do so.

Miss Bacon

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that while we deplore baby farming, however it takes place, it is not confined to one section of the community? Is he further aware that if men had sufficient money so that their wives need not go out to work and if we had proper nursery schools and nursery classes it would not be possible for these baby farms to exist?

Mr. Brooke

The fortunate thing is that under the Conservatives we have very high employment and very good wages. I am adressing myself to the main Question, which is whether there are children who are in the hands of foster-parents who are not fit to have them. My answer to that is that the local authorities have power to intervene in those cases, and I should like to see them doing so.

Sir C. Osborne

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, raise the matter on the Adjournment.