§ 38. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department is considering issuing new guidelines to local government social services departments on the subject of taking children into care; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsLocal authorities are bound to take into care children and young persons committed to their care by the courts. They also have a duty to receive into their care children who satisfy the conditions of Section 1 of the Children's Act 1948. I have no intention of issuing new guidelines on the subject in the immediate future but should always be prepared to consider doing so if the need arose.
§ 61. Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are at present in residential nurseries.
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§ Mr. MoyleAt 31st March 1976 some 1,750 children in the care of local authorities in England were resident in community homes for children under the age of 7—residential nurseries.