§ 4. Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the conduct of children's homes in Gwynedd.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Bennett)Representations have been received from a former employee of Gwynedd county council and from hon. Members.
§ Mr. JonesThe Minister will be aware that certain allegations have been made about incidents in homes in Gwynedd, and in other parts of Wales, during recent months. He will also be aware that Gwynedd has set up an inquiry into those incidents. Is he satisfied with the conduct of that inquiry? Will he ensure that, when the inquiry is completed, its findings will be published for the benefit of all concerned in Gwynedd?
Will the hon. Gentleman investigate the levels of remuneration paid to those who work in children's homes? Should they not be paid salaries which accord with the status of the jobs that they perform?
§ Mr. BennettAn inquiry has indeed been set up by Gwynedd county council, but I understand that it is currently suspended because of police investigations. Obviously, I cannot comment on the inquiry because of those investigations. I hope that Gwynedd county council will listen carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said about publishing a report of the inquiry; I certainly expect it to publish one.
I have always made it clear that I take seriously any allegations of misbehaviour in any children's home in Wales. That is why I directed Gwent county council to carry out a statutory inquiry into the organisation of the Ty Mawr home. I understand that the report on that is to be published shortly. I have also instituted an inquiry into the running of all children's home in Wales, and I shall publish the report of that within the next few days.