§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken on Recommendation 225 of the Finer Report regarding facilities for mothers with children under the age of 5 years who are in prison or on remand.
§ Mr. Harry EwingAt Cornton Vale Institution ample provision has been made for accommodataing babies with their mothers who are serving sentences or on remand. I do not, however, consider that a prison is a suitable place for young children who are old enough to be conscious of their surroundings.
§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research and experiment into the provision of nursery centres has been carried out, as outlined in Paragraph 8.132 (Recommendation 202) of the Finer Report.
§ Mr. McElhoneA study has recently been made of pre-school provision in Fife; another study is being carried out158W for 1975. The figures for 1976 are provisional and are not strictly comparable with those prior to reorganization:
venient date, for entry to teacher training courses in 1977.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe numbers of applications received by each college by 1stt June are set out below:
in Lothian to assess the demand for and supply of pre-school facilities. An example of a new kind of provision is the Beanstalk Centre in Dunfermline, where the local authority is providing day nursery services and nursery education.
§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what action he has taken on Recommendation 189 to 194 of the Finer Report, regarding the provision of counselling services to lone parents and the provision of cash payments, without there being an immediate prospect of a child being received into care;
(2) what action he has taken on Recommendations 209 to 211 of the Finer Report on the care of children over 5 years;
(3) what action he has taken on Recommendations 221 to 223 of the Finer Report on mother and baby homes.
§ Mr. McElhoneRecommendations 189 to 193, 209 to 211 and 221 to 223 are for local authorities to implement, by 159W extending existing services, training staff and modifying services so that one-parent families can benefit more readily from them. It is for the local authorities to consider the extent to which this is possible within the present financial and staffing constraints and in the light of their assessment of the needs and priorities in their areas. Authorities have power to inspect homes registered under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to ensure that adequate standards are maintained.
As regards Recommendation 194, there is no evidence that local authorities in Scotland are reluctant to offer financial assistance until the prospect of a child being received into care is immediate and pressing. The revision of guidance to local authorities on the use of their powers to give assistance in cash is at present the subject of consultations with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Supplementary Benefits Commission.