§ Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the average weekly sum paid by local authorities to foster parents having care under the Children's Service of children under the age of 16 years; and whether his regulations provide for the payment of smaller amounts for children under 11 years of age than for those above that age.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAccording to the revised estimates of local authorities, the average weekly payment for all children up to the age of 18 boarded out in England and Wales was £1 12s. 1½d a head in the financial year 1955–56. Local authorities are free to make what reasonable payments they think necessary up to an average of 40s. a head a week.