§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost to local authorities of implementing those sections of the Children Act 1975 which are now in force; and what local authority and Civil Service staff increases have been required for these purposes.
§ Mr. MoyleI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton) on 29th October 1976.—[Vol. 918, c.408–9.] I regret that information about local authority staff increases, if any, related to these provisions is not available. For the purposes of Section 26 of the Act the General Register Office has recruited two part-time counsellors and two clerical staff; the applications made under Sections 92 and 93, which have operated only from 1st January, have so far been dealt with by existing staff.
§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what allowance has been made in the rate support grant for 1977–78 for the implementation of further sections of the Children Act 1975.
841W
§ Mr. MoyleMy right hon. Friend agreed with the local authority associations last year that it was clear that additional resources would not be available in 1977–78 to make it possible to introduce a statutory adoption service in April 1978 and no allowance has been made for this purpose; but we propose to consult local authority associations shortly about the scope for progress within existing resources.