§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will ensure that the Advisory Council on Child Care, in whatever form it is to be constituted in the future, maintains its status as an independent body;
(2) if he will make a statement on the future of the Advisory Council on Child Care Aid; and why he proposes to withdraw the statutory provision for this council.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWhen the Personal Social Services Council was established in 1974 it was thought unnecessary to maintain a separate role for the statutory Advisory Council on Child Care and the members of the Personal Social Services Council were appointed members of the advisory council as well. In 1979 a joint committee for children was established to advise more widely on children's services, including members appointed on nomination from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the Central Health Services Council and the Personal Social Services Council.
This committee will continue its work after the Personal Social Services Council has come to an end. I do not consider it necessary in addition to appoint an Advisory Council on Child Care, and I shall be seeking Parliament's agreement in due course to the repeal of the relevant legislative provision.