§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to support the international year of the child.
§ Mr. McElhoneGovernment support for the international year of the child in the United Kingdom was outlined in the replies which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 2 August 1978 and on 22 January 1979 and to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 5 December 1978.—[Vol. 955, c. 488–9; Vol. 961, c. 58; Vol. 959, c. 623–4.] The main responsibility for organising the United Kingdom response to the year rests with the voluntary organisations which have formed the United Kingdom Association for the International Year of the Child 1979; this includes a Scottish committee to co-ordinate and promote activites in Scotland, and my Department keeps in close touch with that committee.
555WWe are taking account of the year in Scottish Office Departments' activities which concern the interests of children, and we have offered to assist the Scottish Committee with the cost of an exhibition. The Scottish Committee also participated in preparations for the 1978–79 "Good Neighbour" campaign.
In addition, we have drawn the year to the attention of the Advisory Council on Social Work and to local authorities; with our encouragement, the children's hearings system and list D schools are planning activities to mark the year. We are laying special emphasis on the promotion of fostering as an alternative to residential care, and we are planning a workshop and a conference on intermediate treatment provision for children in trouble or in need.