§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current weekly cost to a local authority of keeping a child in care.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellCosts vary depending on local circumstances and on whether a child is placed in a local authority or voluntary home or is boarded out with fosterparents. I am making inquiries about current costs and shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in Scotland were in the care of local authorities, at the most recent count, because their parents were homeless or living in totally unsatisfactory housing conditions; and whether he will give separate figures for each city and county.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe numbers of children coming into care because of homelessness are given in Table 3.2 of "Scottish Social Work Statistics 1971". I expect figures for 1972 to be available shortly and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.