§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what stage has been reached in regional planning under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.
§ Sir K. JosephThe planning for the new public system of community homes for children in the care of local authorities has been a long and difficult task and some of the plans have only very recently been finalised. I have now approved all the regional plans for England and my right hon. and learned Friend has approved the plan for Wales. All the plans came into effect on 1st April. Improvements in the plans will continue to be made but the commencement of the community home system is a landmark in the development of services for children and the regional planning committees, local authorities and voluntary organisations concerned are very much to be congratulated on what has been achieved so far.