§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the reasons why foster parents and guardians are paid at different rates; and if he has any plans to make these payments equal.
§ Sir George YoungGuardian's allowance is a national insurance benefit paid at the same rate as other long-term national insurance benefits for children.
Boarding-out allowances are paid by local authorities to foster parents of children who are in care. The rates of payment are a matter for determination by the authorities themselves.
883WThere are no plans to make these payments equal, as the circumstances in which guardian's allowance may be paid are usually quite different from those in which boarding-out allowances are awarded.