§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the names of the organisations that have written to him since the introduction of the Children Bill with suggestions for its improvement or amendment.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMany organisations have written to colleagues, officials and me. It would be disproportionately expensive to trace and itemise all this correspondence.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he or his officials have met the Association of Directors of Social Services since the Children Bill completed its Commons stages.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI met the Association of Directors of Social Services on 9 November.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date it is anticipated that the Children Bill will be brought into effect.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Government's aim is to implement the main provisions by October 1991.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the cost implications of the implementation of the Children Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyEstimates were given in the financial memorandum attached to the Bill. The expenditure implications for local authorities will be taken into account in the relevant expenditure discussions.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which local authorities have made representations to him concerning the cost implications of the Children Bill.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have received representations from the London boroughs of Camden and Redbridge and Trafford metropolitan borough council, and from the local authority associations. These comments will be taken into account in the relevant expenditure discussions. On 22 September the Government announced grants totalling £4 million over two years for local authority staff training.