§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many sections of the Children Act 1975 have not as yet been implemented; and when he intends to implement each remaining section.
§ Sir George YoungThe following provisions, together with certain minor and consequential amendments and repeals in schedules 3 and 4 to the Act, have not yet been brought into force: sections 1, 2, 4–7, 9, 14–16, 18–20, subsections 21(3), 22(1)—(3), sections 23, 25, 28 (other than part of paragraph(c), 32–46, 58 (part), 60–63, 64 (part), 95–97 and 102. No dates have yet been set for bringing these sections into force.
The Government support the main aims of the Children Act 1975, but we recognise that successful implementation of the remaining provisions of the Act over a period of years will require careful planning and adequate resources. The Department is currently re-examining the costs of the unimplemented provisions in co-operation with the local authorities, on whom the responsibility for operating the Act will mainly fall.
161WI have not dealt with the provisions which apply to Scotland.
I am sorry that in my reply to hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 3 July there was a typographical error in the first sentence. The words, " a period of a year " should have read " a period of years ".