§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what help is being given to the Gingerbread Group and the single-parent families; and if she will recommend local authorities to assist them wherever possible.
§ Mr. Alec JonesMy Department was unable to approve an application which Gingerbread made for a grant towards the cost of giving information on social security benefits, because there is no statutory power to make grants for that purpose. It is for individual local authorities to decide their response to requests for help from voluntary organisations.
61WLocal authorities help one-parent families through case-work and counselling services, day care arrangements including day nurseries if the mother wishes to go out to work, and other services for the welfare of families with children.