§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children deprived of normal family life are under the care of local authorities; and what percentage of these have been abandoned or deserted by their parents.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe number of children in the care of local authorities on 31st March, 1956, was 62,347. I am unable to state how many of these had been abandoned or deserted by their parents; but of the 38,305 children received into care in the 12 months ending 31st March, 270 had been abandoned or lost and 2,779 deserted by the parent with whom they were living.