§ Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of boarded-out children and mentally deficient persons who are also boarded out for each local authority in Scotland; if he is satisfied with their treatment and the conditions where they are living; and if he proposes to set up an inquiry in order to review their position and method of supervision.
Mr. JohnstonThe detailed information asked for is not completely available to me, but I propose to obtain it from local authorities and I shall send it to the hon. Member when I receive it. Boarding-out is primarily the responsibility of the local authorities, but is subject to regulations2030W and inspections made by my Departments. The system has been tested by long years of experience and is in general regarded as satisfactory, though I would not commit myself to the view that improvements could not be made here and there. With regard to the last part of the Question. I hope to announce shortly the composition of a Committee to consider the position of children who are deprived of a normal home life. The Committee's remit will be wide enough to enable them to consider the whole question of boarding-out.