§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what statutory powers he has to cause an inquiry to be held into the function of a social services committee of a local authority;
392W(2) if he will list the kinds of inquiry which he may cause to be held into the functioning of social services or child care services in a local authority.
§ Mr. EnnalsI have statutory powers to set up inquiries into the functions of local authority social services committees relating to the enactments specified below.
- National Assistance Act 1948:
- Section 36—relating to the exercise of default powers;
- Section 54—purposes generally of the Act.
- These provisions also apply to Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.
- Mental Health Act 1959—Section 143.
- Health Services and Public Health Act 1968—Section 45(5).
- Children Act 1975—Section 98.
- National Health Service Act 1977:
- Section 84—matters generally under the Act;
- Section 85—relating to the exercise of default powers.
In addition, less formal inquiries can be held by local authorities and myself into the functions remitted to social services committees.