§ 21. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has now had with the Association of Child Care Officers concerning their representations about local authorities which are reorganising social welfare services before the Government have announced their policy towards the Seebohm Report.
§ Mr. CallaghanMy right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and I received a deputation on 7th May from this Association, the Standing Conference of Organisations of Social Workers, and the Seebohm Implementation Action Group.
§ Mr. JuddWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that helpful reply, can he say what action will be taken, and how soon, to alleviate the acute anxiety among members of this association?
§ Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir; I appreciate that there is anxiety amongst the members of the association. My right hon. Friend and I have agreed, as we have stated repeatedly in this House, to ask local authorities not to contemplate changes in advance of the Government's decision in the matter, which clearly must now be taken in the light of the proposals made in the Redcliffe-Maud Report.