§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on administration and fieldwork in respect of children in care in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. NewtonThis information is not held centrally.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the average cost of residential accommodation for a child in care in each of the last five years;
(2) how many children have been fostered in each of the last five years; and, of those children, how many were fostered to grandparents or other relatives;
(3) what percentage of children in care come from the major cities; and what percentage from the rural areas.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation on the average cost of residential accommodation for a child in care in the years ended 31 March 1977–1981 (the latest available) is in table 11 of "Children in Care in England and Wales, March 1981", a copy of which is held in the Library of the House, table 5 of the same publication gives the numbers of children in care who are boarded out with foster parents in each of the years 1976–81; and also for the same period the numbers placed under the charge of a parent, guardian, relative or friend. Table A6 provides information on children in care in each local authority including urban and rural areas.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on children in care in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. NewtonInformatiom on expenditure by local authorities on children in care in the years 1976–1981 is given in table 11 of "Children in Care in England and Wales, March 1981" and equivalent publications for the preceding four years. Copies are held in the Library of the House.