§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases he has indicated that he would prohibit under Section 6(4) of the 1970 Act the appointment of a person being considered for the post of Director of Social Services.
§ Sir K. JosephOf the 142 local authorities in England and Wales which have so far consulted Ministers about the applicants whom they were proposing to short-list for the appointment, 72 have been advised that one or more of such applicants are not, in Ministers' opinion, fitted for the post, and that their appointment would be prohibited. That advice has applied to 68 of the 404 individuals who have appeared on one or more of these short lists.