§ 2.52 p.m.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in their investigations of child welfare in the County of Dorset they were satisfied that the foster-parents concerned had been fairly treated, and secondly whether they found any evidence that incidents of the character under investigation were a "frequent occurrence".]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, the purpose of the inquiry by the Home Office inspectors was to investigate the general standard of child care in Dorset, and it was not directed to the 948 question of whether the foster-parents in the particular case which came before a court were fairly treated. Nothing, however, came to notice to suggest the contrary.
I can, however, give an unqualified answer to the second part of the noble Lord's Question. It is "No".
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for the assurance in the second part of the Question. Can the noble Lord say, as a result of his investigations, that no reflection was passed by the reports on the foster-parents, and whether in fact they have had to seek other employment, and may have to seek another house?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I cannot comment at all on the questions of the noble Earl regarding employment and/or a house. I have no knowledge of these matters. I would further add that the question of the foster-parents is the direct responsibility of the local authority and not that of my right honourable friend. I have, however, as he suggested, studied all the official documents on this case and there was, in fact, no reflection whatever on the foster-parents, who have been true foster-parents for many years.
§ LORD SIMEYMy Lords, would the noble Lord not agree that it is necessary to do everything that can be done to protect foster-parents from what are often irresponsible slanders? Otherwise, they may be unwilling, to continue with the valuable public service which they give the community.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, my right honourable friend and I recognise the great debt which the whole community owes to people who are prepared to take a child into their homes as a member of the family. There are careful investigations by local authorities before foster-parents are able to take up this duty and there is constant supervision by child-care officers and medical officers throughout. It is a matter of great regret if, by slanders or malicious gossip, over which we have no control, these people are injured in any way.