§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now establish a central record of the cause of death when it occurs in children in care; and if he will now issue instructions to require notification to his Department in all such cases.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. There is no statutory power which would enable my right hon. Friend to require local authorities to report the deaths of children in care. I am satisfied that the existing informal arrangements whereby local authorities notify the Regional Social Work Service of the deaths of children in care in unexpected or unusual circumstances, are working well.