§ 36. Mr. Roebuckasked the Attorney-General what county courts make use of voluntary welfare officers in cases involving racial or other social difficulties.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhere it appears that the help of a welfare worker would be desirable in a case involving racial or social difficulties a county court usually refers the case to the local authority's welfare officer or children's officer; to a mental health officer or probation officer; to the local Citizens' Advice Bureau; or in a matrimonial case to the designated court welfare officer. Considerable use is also made of the services of voluntary welfare officers and organisations in appropriate cases where their services are available.
§ Mr. RoebuckI am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Is he certain that that procedure is followed by all county courts? If not, could he arrange for them to be circularised on the benefits of this system?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI think that it is pretty widely used. County court judges have been grateful for assistance from voluntary welfare workers and organisations. The problem is perhaps that they are not as widely available as one would hope.