§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of intermediate treament centres.
§ Mr. FairgrieveI have no doubt that intermediate treatment makes a valuable contribution in meeting the needs of some children. Provision has been made in the recent rate support grant (Scotland) order 1979 for increased expenditure on social work services in 1980–81 to reflect our view that services for vulnerable members of the community and services concerned with law and order should be maintained. I regard "law and order" as including services for children which are concerned with the prevention and treatment of delinquency, and, while priorities are for local authorities themselves to determine, I hope that the increased provision will enable them to maintain and develop facilities for intermediate treatment.