§ 15. Mr. Murtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to publish up-to-date particulars of the number of children in care in England and Wales and related matters 879 as last published in Command Paper No. 2240.
§ 60. Mr. Hoggasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the last White Paper on Children in Care was published; and when he intends to publish a new one.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThese statistics were last published in December, 1963; later figures will be published next month.
§ Mr. MurtonWhile recognising the value of the fuller triennial report, is it right that this House should be deprived of the annual report, which contained important statistics that are very difficult to obtain from other sources?
§ Mr. JenkinsI am sorry for the delay. There has been some difficulty in reconciling figures provided from different sources, from the local authorities and the voluntary organisations, but they will be available next month.
§ Mr. HoggWhile welcoming the news that the statistics will be available shortly, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, when he lays his paper, to make it as full as possible in view of widespread concern recently expressed regarding the child welfare service?
§ Mr. JenkinsYes. I think the statistical position will not show any real change in the number of children in child care since the last Report was published, but I will give as much relevant information as I can.