HC Deb 16 July 1974 vol 877 cc222-4
4. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action she is taking to deal with the battered baby problem.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mrs. Barbara Castle)

Following a multi-disciplinary conference which we held last month to discuss problems of early diagnosis and of management, we are studying further ways of increasing awareness of the problem, helping professional workers concerned with it and promoting co-operation between them. We are paying particular attention to methods of obtaining and recording information, and its use. I very much welcome the inter-disciplinary seminars and conferences that are being held throughout the country, in a number of which professional advisers from my Department have participated. A grant has been made of £112,000 over three years to the NSPCC for development of special units and for research, and discussions are at an advanced stage on a number of other research proposals in this field. I have asked directors of social services to report to me by the end of the year progress made on the setting up of inter-disciplinary area review teams and on the handling of the programme in the areas.

Mrs. Knight

Will the right hon. Lady bear in mind that action by the end of the year is not quick enough for many people in the House? Will she consider the possibility of doing something to enable doctors to safeguard their very young patients instead of, as at present, sending them back to their homes, where they may be battered, because doctors do not have sufficient powers to ensure always that they go to a place of safety?

Mrs. Castle

I am sure that the hon. Lady has misunderstood the very detailed reply I gave her on what I agree with her is a very important and urgent matter. I was not talking about waiting for action until the end of the year. I said that I have asked the authorities to let me have by the end of the year a report of the action which they had already taken to set up these area review teams. It is the purpose of these teams to make absolutely sure that a child does not fall between the net because it passes from the doctor to no particular area of responsibility. I think that the answer to the hon. Lady's point is that the doctor should be part of this multidisciplinary teamwork.

Mr. Moonman

We on the Government side of the House understand my right hon. Friend's statement. It is very warm and compassionate and we welcome it. I have two questions for my right hon. Friend. First, in relation to the Select Committee proposed on the subject of battered wives, will there be a special sector dealing with battered babies? Second, in view of the Max Piazzani case, with which my right hon. Friend is acquainted, could not a model emerge from this which would show the nature of the way in which the Department acts immediately following an indication that there has been a serious case?

Mrs. Castle

I do not immediately see the desirability of extending the Select Committee on battered wives to this area, although if links were established between the two issues it would be possible to consider doing that. We must see how this Select Committee progresses. I shall certainly bear in mind the point made by my hon. Friend about the Piazzani case.

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