§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to issue guidance to local authorities as to whether education welfare departments should be in the education or the social service departments of the authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeMy Department and the Department for Health and Social Security have consulted all the organisations interested in this question, which stems from a recommendation by the Seebohm Committee, and so far we see no strong case for any change in the view that the allocation of responsibilities between local authority departments is for the authorities themselves to decide in the light of their particular circumstances. It will in any case be important that there is the closest co-operation between education and social service departments in 203W educational welfare matters. The Government are considering the possibility of issuing general guidance concerning the education welfare service.