§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied that equal and adequate provision is made to secure financial support for foster parents looking after handicapped, and other, children; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenThere is considerable variation between basic boarding out allowances paid by local authorities and between the additional allowances they pay in recognition of the special expenses involved in caring for handicapped children. Local authorities have complete freedom to fix their own scales but the Working Party on Fostering Practice is looking into the factors which are taken into account in determining rates and I hope to receive their findings in the spring.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take the necessary steps to allow foster parents recognised by local authorities to receive the attendance allowance for looking after disabled children who would qualify for such an allowance if they were with their natural parents; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisNo. Where the local authority has taken the responsibility to provide care for a severely disabled child, whether in one of its own homes or by other means, it would not be appropriate for the attendance allowance to become payable.