HC Deb 12 February 1979 vol 962 cc399-400W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those provisions of the Children Act 1975 that have not yet been implemented, and indicate in each case the reason for non-implementation and when each is expected to be implemented.

Mr. Moyle

The provisions which have not yet been implemented, other than those which extend to Scotland only, are sections 1 and 2, 4 to 7, 9, 14 to 16, 18 to 20, 21(3), 22(1) to (3), 23, 25, 28—other than paragraph (c)(ii)—32 to 46, 58—part—60 to 63, 64—part—95 to 97, 102 and parts of schedules 3 and 4. The Government have made it clear that the Act will have to be implemented gradually as additional resources become available. I hope that we shall be able to introduce custodianship orders—sections 33 to 46—within the next year. My Department and the local authority associations have agreed to re-examine the costing of the remaining provisions of the Act and, when this has been done, we shall hope to discuss a timetable.