HC Deb 25 July 1969 vol 787 cc529-30W
Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his consultations with those local authorities which have taken steps to reorganise their health, welfare and children's departments, and on the subsequent action taken by the Association of Child Care Officers in notifying its members that it can no longer recommend employment by such authorities.

Mr. Callaghan

As opportunity has offered, my officers have elaborated on the advice which has been given in public statements by Ministers to the effect that authorities would be unwise to reorganise their services in a way which might subsequently prove to be incompatible with the decisions eventually taken by the Government on the Seebohm Report. I took a further opportunity of making this clear at a meeting with local authority associations on 17th July. Action taken by the Association of Child Care Officers is a matter between it and the local authorities, which are the employers.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for his Inspectorate of Child Care to visit local authorities which have reorganised their health, welfare and children's departments, and whose health visitors are being requested to undertake preliminary interviews with prospective foster parents.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

All local authorities responsible for children's services are visited by my right hon. Friend's Inspectors from time to time and advised about these services, including the arrangements for boarding-out.