HC Deb 14 March 1973 vol 852 cc349-50W
Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the present procedures for inspecting assessment centres and approved schools.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Officers of my Department have power under Section 6 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to examine conditions in any residential or other establishment provided for the purposes of the Act. They frequently visit List D schools and assessment centres and give such advice as appears to be necessary to the local authority or voluntary organisation concerned. But the primary responsibility for supervision of the children in any establishment which a local authority provides or makes use of rests with the local authority concerned.

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the building of further assessment centres and approved schools.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The responsibility for providing residential and other facilities in the social work field rests on local authorities. In September 1972 my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the development of assessment services and asked them to consider the adequacy of their arrangements. A new assessment centre will shortly be opening in Aberdeen and I have approved the building of a new centre in Fife. In examining the development plans which local authorities are at present submitting to me I shall pay particular regard to proposals for the assessment and residential care of children. The current building programme includes expenditure of about £700,000 per annum on the extension and improvement of the List D schools.