§ 2. Mr. Buckasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the report of the Naval Welfare 161 Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Seebohm, and indicate what progress has been made towards its implementation.
§ Mr. JuddWe accept in principle the majority of the recommendations made in this most valuable report, and with the assistance of the existing staff we are pressing ahead with implementation as quickly as we can. In particular, arrangements to develop a professionally trained element within the Navy's social service are well under way.
§ Mr. BuckI am grateful for that answer, but what progress is being made in recruiting staff for the new naval social service department? Who is to head it? Will it be someone recruited from outside or from within Government Departments?
§ Mr. JuddI should like to pay tribute to the hon. and learned Gentleman's deep concern for this aspect of naval policy, which is well known. The head of the Naval Social Services will be at a senior professional level, at the appropriate salary scale. We hope to make the appointment in the not-too-distant future. We expect the top post and one or two other posts at the senior level to be filled by social work administrators from other Government Departments. Other posts will be open to qualified social workers currently employed by local authorities or other social service agencies.
§ Mr. ViggersA major problem revealed in the Seebohm Report is housing in all its aspects. Can the Minister give us any information about increasing the coordination between local authorities and Service Departments?
§ Mr. JuddI recognise that there is a serious problem here, and I am taking steps to make sure that there is the fullest possible consultation not only between my Department and local authorities but between all relevant Government Departments at national level.