§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the new system of children's panels and hearings provided for in the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, will come into operation.
§ Mr. RossI propose that children's hearings should begin to operate about the end of 1970, and my consultations with local authorities, court and other interests about the necessary preliminaries will be on this basis. I shall be issuing a circular shortly to local authorities about one of the first stages, the establishment of Children's Panel Advisory Committees, which have to advise me in the selection of suitable members for children's panels.