§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself of the ability of social work departments in regional local authorities to deal with children from list D schools who have multiple problems; and if he will make a statement.
(2) what representations he has received against transferring list D schools to social work departments within regional local authorities;
(3) which regional local authority departments will receive grants aid under his proposal to transfer the functions of list D schools to local authorities.
§ Mr. John McKayI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to a question tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Corrie) on 6 June at column257.
The majority of the children in the list D schools are already in the statutory care of local authorities. I do not believe that the ability of authorities to discharge their responsibilities will be affected by the changes which I propose to introduce in arrangements for financial support of the schools. The additional rate support grant payable under these arrangements will go to authorities and will not be earmarked to particular departments. I have however suggested to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that it might wish to consider a new specific grant.
Representations against my proposals have recently been made by the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic hierarchy and children's hearing interests. At an earlier 291W stage the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the list D Schools' Assocation indicated that they would prefer the present arrangements to continue.