§ 15. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his been the result of his consultations with local authority associations about strengthening the Children Act, 1958.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Miss Alice Bacon)This is a complicated matter, and the possibilities are still being discussed with the local authority associations.
§ Mr. PriceIs my right hon. Friend aware of recent serious allegations against foster parents, including suggestions of baby farming? Would she not agree that these allegations ought not to go unanswered, particularly as many thousands of foster parents do a first-class job?
§ Miss BaconThe 1958 Act deals not with foster parents who are employed by local authorities, but with private fostering. The document to which my hon. Friend refers and which was mentioned in the Press recently has not yet been sent to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is responsible for child minding, or to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is responsible for the 1958 Act. When it is, we shall consider it carefully.