§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has studied the report, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the speech by the President of the National Union of Teachers in Portsmouth in which he referred to children deprived of cultural and environmental stimulation, affection and understanding, food, clothing and adequate accommodation; and whether he will initiate an inquiry into poverty in Portsmouth.
§ Sir K. JosephI have read Press reports of the speech, which illustrated extremes of parental neglect—not necessarily or always connected with poverty. Where family poverty is a contributory cause I hope that the Family Income Supplement will help. The social causes of parental neglect are a matter for the local authority social services committees.
The Portsmouth City Council, I understand, have under review the local needs to which the speech referred. No useful purpose would be served by my initiating an inquiry.