HC Deb 04 July 1956 vol 555 cc117-8W
Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to enumerate the officials who, in connection with the responsibilities of his Department, whether direct or by delegation to local authority, are empowered to visit homes and advise parents and, either by court action or otherwise, to separate children from parents.

Major Lloyd-George

No officers of my Department have these powers, nor can I confer them on local authorities by delegation. Parliament has given the council of every county and county borough in England and Wales, acting through its children committee and children's officer and staff, powers and duties under the Children and Young Persons Acts and the Children Act, 1948,

— (1) (2) (3)
War Pensions:
Disablement pension:
100 per cent. rate for a private soldier or equivalent rank:
single 67s. 6d. 45s. 0d. 62s. 0d.
married man 77s. 6d. 55s. 0d. 75s. 9d.
Widow: Aged 40 or over or, if under 40, with children or incapable of self-support 52s. 6d. 35s. 0d. 48s. 3d.
Other widows 20s. 0d. 20s. 0d. 27s. 7d.
Pensions under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts, 1946–54:
Disablement pension:
100 per cent. rate 67s. 6d. 45s. 0d. 62s. 0d.
Widow: Over 50 or permanently incapable of self-support or with children or, having had the pension with children, over 40 when it ceases 45s. 0d. 30s. 0d. 41s. 4d.
Other widows 20s. 0d. 20s. 0d. 27s. 7d.
Pensions under the National Insurance Acts, 1946–54:
Retirement Pension:
single person 40s. 0d. 26s. 0d. 35s. 10d.
married couple 65s. 0d. 42s. 0d. 57s. 10d.
Widowed Mother's Allowance (including element for first child) 51s. 6d.* 33s. 6d. 46s. 2d.
Widow's Pension 40s. 0d. 26s. 0d. 35s. 10d.
Widow's Basic Pension 10s. 0d. 10s. 0d. 13s. 9d.
* With an additional 3s. 6d. for each child after the first; to be increased under the Family Allowances and National Insurance Bill now awaiting Royal Assent to 56s. 6d., plus 8s. 6d. for each child after the first.

which involve visiting homes and, in certain circumstances, taking action through the courts for the removal of a child from the care of his parents.

Probation officers visit the homes of children who are the subject of a probation order or supervision order and may, if necessary, bring the child before a juvenile court, which may in some cases order his removal from the care of his parents. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has been authorised by Order under Section 62 (4) of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, to institute proceedings under that section.