HC Deb 09 March 1983 vol 38 c416W
Mr. Tom Benyon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the local authorities in England and Wales which are known to have ceased provision of a 24-hour emergency social work service in the last three years.

Mr. Newton

This information is not routinely collected by central Government. However, recent informal inquiries in England in connection with a research study show that the following authorities did not have formal arrangements for such a service in February 1983:

  • Kent county council
  • Wirral metropolitan district
  • Barnsley metropolitan district
  • Gateshead metropolitan district
  • Rotherham metropolitan district
  • Kingston, London borough
  • Richmond, London borough

Some of these authorities have informal arrangements to deal with social work emergencies. No comparable information is available for Wales.