§ Mr. Rifkindasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will authorise the publication of the Mitchell Report on the future of List D schools;
(2) when he expects to make a final decision as to whether List D schools should be an educational or social work responsibility;
(3) from whom he has received, or expects to receive, representations on the future of List D schools;
(4) if he will make a statement as to why the Government have rejected the recommendation of the Mitchell Report that List D schools should come under education and not social work committees of regional authorities.
§ Mr. McElhoneAs my right hon. Friend indicated in his parliamentary statement of 4th August, it is intended to undertake detailed consultations about the future of the List D schools with a wide range of organisations—including the schools themselves, the local authorities and other interests concerned. For this purpose a consultative memorandum will be issued soon, with which it is proposed to circulate the Mitchell Report. In his statement my right hon. Friend said that he was disposed to accept the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Social Work that overall responsibility for the schools should rest with social work committees of regional authorities: this is one of the matters which will be dealt with in the consultative memorandum.