§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of keeping a child in care per year.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe estimated average cost of keeping a child in local authority care during 1976–77 was about £2,200. This figure excludes administration and field social work costs, which cannot be allocated to specific services, and no deduction has been made for parental contributions. In making the calculation, the number of children on whom little or no expenditure was incurred—for example, children in residential employment or living at home—have been excluded.
354WBritish Medical Association on the form of a new contract for hospital consultants commenced in February of this year. These discussions, which became formal negotiations on 1st August, are continuing. I have also had two recent meetings with the profession's representatives to discuss certain aspects of the contract proposals. As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt) on 18th November—[Vol. 939, c. 377.]—I will inform the House before a new contract takes effect