§ 8. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, until such time as the proposals for the intermediate treatment of young offenders laid down in the Children and Young Offenders Act 1969 come into effect, he will consider making funds available for a wider use by supervising officers of courses at outdoor pursuit centres provided by voluntary organisations.
§ Sir K. JosephLocal authorities already have powers which could be used to make grants for this purpose.
§ Mr. JonesDoes my right hon. Friend see any limit to the resources which are available for this facility? Is this matter given encouragement by his Department or is it left entirely to local authorities?
§ Sir K. JosephThere is certainly a limit because of all the tasks which local authorities have to face, but as the intermediate treatment plans are brought into finality by the regional planning committees and as they receive my approval— which I hope will be during this year— in most cases the opportunity for intermediate treatment and the budgets locally allotted for the purpose should increase in each region.
§ Mr. EwingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that local authority resources are largely taken up by social work departments in replacing family allowances which his Department takes away from the children when they are committed?
§ Sir K. JosephI think that is absolute rubbish. But if the hon. Gentleman wishes to table a Question I shall, so far as I am able to gather the information without disproportionate effort, seek to look into it.