§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to make it obligatory for doctors, nurses and social workers to notify the relevant local authority of any case of suspected child battering.
§ Sir K. JosephThere are considerable doubts about the effectiveness of formal notification. The whole problem of securing the earliest possible identification and constructive treatment of the children and their parents is the subject of continuous study by my Department. I hope352W to be able to issue further guidance early in the new year.