§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take on funding social work in Scotland following his reply to the hon. Member for the Western Isles on 19th June.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have been considering the memorandum about the funding of social work students referred to in my earlier reply in the light of discussion with the students who prepared the memorandum and other interested bodies. I hope to reply shortly to those who submitted the memorandum and to 345W the hon. Members who have written to me on this subject.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer and to local authorities of the provision of accommodation provided or subsidised by local authorities in terms of the Social Work (Scotland) Act for 1973–74.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe latest estimate by local authorities of running costs of residential accommodation in 1973–74 is about £16 million. Direct grants by my Department are estimated at £1.6 million.