§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTEMy 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 they are aware of the large number of married students from overseas who during their course of study place their children with foster-parents whom they have got in touch with by advertising and who would not be regarded by the local children's committee as suitable to have the care of foster-children; and what action they propose to remedy this disturbing situation.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, the Government have discussed with the 205 local authority associations how to strengthen the powers of local authorities under the Children Act 1958, which provides for the protection of children placed privately with foster-parents. My right honourable friend hopes that it may be possible to introduce legislation for this purpose when Parliamentary time is available.
§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTEMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, I wonder whether the Government would take this situation even more seriously. Would they, for instance, consider suggesting to universities and technical colleges that they should find out what arrangements married students from overseas are making for the care of their children, before accepting them?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I assure the noble Baroness that we are taking this matter most seriously. I will certainly commend her suggestion to the attention of my right honourable friend. I would, however, mention that between 1961 and 1967 the number of foster-children under the care of local authorities, under the Children Act 1958,has risen from 7,000 to 10,000, and the increase is thought to be largely due to the increase in the number of children of overseas students who are in the care of foster-parents. The legislation which I foreshadowed would go much further than the noble Baroness's Question implied.
§ THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGHMy Lords, would it be open to Her Majesty's Government to consult with the British Council on this matter, since the British Council is in such a good position to give advice to these students?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, that, too, is a valuable suggestion, which I will consider. Both suggestions have been made with the worthy object of giving more information to overseas students in order to help to ensure that their children are properly cared for, which is something with which we have complete sympathy. I will see that both suggestions are carefully considered.