HC Deb 05 December 1978 vol 959 cc623-4W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken to support the International Year of the Child 1979; who are represented on the major committees; what support is being actively given by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle:

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mr. Short) of 2nd August—[Vol. 955, c. 448-9]—I outlined the support the Government are giving to the United Kingdom Association for the International Year of the Child 1979. In addition, subject to parliamentary approval, I understand my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development proposes to increase the United Kingdom contribution to UNICEF's regular programme in 1979 by £1.3 million to £5.8 million.

My Department, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices and other Departments whose responsibilities bear on the interests of children, are in close touch with the United Kingdom association and its committees about the activities they propose during the year. Departmental observers are also attending the meetings of five ad hoc working groups the association has established to plan the central programmes for the year.

We are also considering what activities central Government Departments may be able to take during 1979 as a contribution to the year. These include:

—laying particular emphasis on such policy themes as reduction of perinatal mortality and handicap; finding foster parents and adopters for suitable children at present in residential homes; reducing numbers of long stay children in hospital; limited expansion of day provision for under-fives; co-ordination of services concerned with disturbed and delinquent children; promotion of safety of children in dangerous environments; preparation for parenthood;

—conferences on treatment of young offenders in the community;

—end of remands certificates of unruliness for girls under 17 remanding them to prison department establishments.

The membership of the United Kingdom association reflects the leading role which the voluntary organisations are playing in this country's response to the year and I am sending my hon. Friend details of the membership of the executive committee of the association, of the executive steering group of the Scottish committee, of the standing conference of International Year of the Child (Wales) and of the Northern Ireland regional committee, and of the organisations represented.