Child Care Arrangements, Dorset

HC Deb 23 June 1966 vol 730 c878

14. Mr. Murton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the inquiry into the child care arrangements in Dorset involved a visit by his inspectors to the former foster parents of the boy concerned in the case.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

No, Sir.

Mr. Murton

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the fact that in this Dorset inquiry on which the Chief Inspector provided a report for him no fewer than 43 foster homes were visited, it might have been wise to visit this particular one where the trouble occurred?

Mr. Jenkins

The object of the inquiry was not to investigate an individual case which had been before a court. The object of the inquiry, because of disquiet caused by the original case, was to investigate the general standard of child care in the County of Dorset. I think that was thoroughly and satisfactorily done.