§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the amount of public funds going to the Asian Mother and Baby Campaign recently launched by Princess Anne; and if he will make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's commitment to this campaign.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe cost to central funds of the campaign is expected to be about £1.3 million. As I made clear both at the national launch in September and again at the first of the local launches, in Birmingham, in December, the Government were responsible for launching this campaign and are fully committed to it.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the areas where the Asian Mother and Baby Campaign is (a) currently operating and (b) proposing to operate; and whether he will facilitate its operation in Waltham Forest.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLink workers are now operating in Birmingham, are training in Leicestershire, and are expected to be appointed in Bradford, Bolton, Blackburn and Newham within the next few months. The remaining four or five areas to which the link worker scheme is to be extended have not yet been determined, but Waltham Forest is one of those being considered.
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§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the link workers of the Asian Mother and Baby Campaign are proposed to be temporary or permanent appointments.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLink workers are being appointed with support from central funds for a fixed term of two years. At the end of that period it will be for the health authorities concerned to decide whether and on what terms to offer a new contract.