§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the report of the inquiry into child care in Fife; if he will publish it; what was the total cost of the inquiry; and whether Fife regional council will be asked to make a contribution to the costs.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 22 June 1992]: Sheriff Kearney submitted his report on 16 June to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State who is now considering it. Once he has completed his consideration he will decide whether to publish the report and how its recommendations should be followed up.
The full expenses incurred by the Scottish Office in holding the inquiry are estimated at £840,000.
364WIt is too early for my right hon. Friend to decide whether and in what way to exercise his powers under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 regarding the expenses of holding the inquiry.