Children's Panels

HC Deb 07 May 1976 vol 910 cc483-5W

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report statistics showing the number of children referred to each re- porter to children's panels in each of the past five years and the numbers subsequently referred to hearings.

Mr. McElhone

Information for the years 1971, 1972 and 1973 is available in the annual publication "Scottish Social Work Statistics". The report for 1974 will be published in July. Figures are not yet available for 1975.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria reporters to children's panels employ in deciding whether or not to refer cases to hearings.

Mr. McElhone

I would refer the hon. Member to Section 39(3) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and to Section 32 of that Act as amended by the Children Act 1975.