§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to provide extra funds for the new unitary authorities taking on extra professionals to deal with child care when responsibility is transferred from the police and health;
(2) what plans he has to lessen the management costs of independent providers of child care who will cover several of the new unitary authority areas;
(3) whether the new unitary authorities will buy in the full range of child protection services;
(4) how the liaison work between police, health and the new unitary authorities in Gwent will operate in relation to area child protection committees.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe full legislative requirements concerning child protection currently met by the social services departments of county councils will become the responsibility of the new unitary authorities. How they will carry out these functions, including the extent to which they secure services from other providers, will be for the new authorities to determine in the light of their own needs and resources.
It will be for the new unitary authorities to decide on what liaison arrangements they should have with other agencies including the police, health authorities and the voluntary sector.