§ 33. Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Seebohm Report.
§ Mr. CrossmanI hope to introduce legislation arising out of the Seebohm Committee's recommendations in a few days.
§ Mr. WorsleyWould the right hon. Gentleman now say why this has taken so long?
§ Mr. CrossmanFor a very simple reason. We had to relate it to the publication of the new Green Paper on the 904 Health Service. That had to be published first, before we could possibly publish a Bill for implementing Seebohm, because the paper will define the frontier between health and social services, which is the basis of the Bill.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of whom he has consulted about Seebohm and the Green Paper and what opposition he has found in his consultations?
§ Mr. CrossmanIt would be better to await the Second Reading of the Bill. On the question of the Seebohm Report, we consulted the local authorities and, I believe, all the relevant professional organisations, including those with social service workers in the local authorities.