§ 21. Mr. Norman Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will set up an independent inquiry into the question of runaway children.
§ Mr. MeacherWe are consulting my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and other Ministers concerned, and hope to be able to write to the hon. Member shortly.
§ Mr. FowlerIs the Minister aware that the Gleaves case featured in the "Johnny Go Home" programme caused widespread concern to hon. Members on both sides of the House? Does he recognise that part of this case concerns allegations of mismanagement against a Government Department? Would it not be more appropriate to have a fully independent inquiry, rather than an interdepartmental one?
§ Mr. MeacherI have already indicated that the working group that has been set up is not purely internal, because it contains three members of leading voluntary organisations. I have already said that I am hopeful that after consultations, which I accept have been lengthy, we shall shortly be able to write to the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonWill the Minister press his right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council to find time for a debate on the report on fostering, recently submitted to the House by the Employment and Social Services Sub-Committee of the Select Committee on Public Expenditure, which many of us believe is an efficient and sound way of dealing with young runaway children?
§ Mr. MeacherI note what the hon. Gentleman says, but he should put that question to my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council.