§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reconsider his practice of agreeing to meet only one representative of local authority social services committees in those local authorities where there is no overall majority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieOur practice is to hold informal meetings about three times a year with Chairmen of Social Services Committees and Directors of Social Services with the aim of meeting representatives of every local authority over a period of two years. The invitations are addressed to chairmen and it is for them to decide if they wish to send a substitute. We value this opportunity to exchange views on personal social services issues with a wide range of authorities and we would not wish to make changes which would reduce their informality or prolong the rotation period beyond two years.