HC Deb 21 April 1977 vol 930 cc145-6W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances social security pays for children to go into care at the taxpayers' and/or ratepayers' expense while one or both parents go on holiday abroad on money saved out of social security benefits; and if he will make a statement on the case of Mrs. Anna Gupta, currently a social security claimant, currently on two months' holiday in Italy, while her four children have been put in care.

Mr. Orme

Social security offices do not pay for children to go into care in the circumstances described by the hon. Member. My Department is looking into the individual case he mentioned and I will write to him when more information is available.