§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of recruitment of new children's panel members that has been achieved, with particular reference to the Strathclyde, Lothian and Central regions.
§ Mr. LangRecruitment of members of children's panels is a matter for each regional and island authority. Information is still being gathered centrally about the level of recruitment this year. Normally there are more applicants than vacancies. There is always a problem attracting sufficient suitable male applicants, and Lothian and Strathclyde regions are undertaking a second local recruiting exercise with a view to attracting more men. Central Region has, I understand, been able to meet its requirements this year from the applications received following the initial campaign.
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§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the respective sums spent upon the recruitment of school board and children's panel members;
(2) what sum has been spent over the last year on the recruitment of members for school boards.
§ Mr. LangSchool board members are elected. The organisation of school board elections is a matter for education authorities. Figures on expenditure by central Government on information about school boards were set out in my reply of 27 October to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. McLeish).
On the question of expenditure on recruitment for children's panel members, I refer the hon. Member to my separate reply today.
§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum was spent on advertising for the recruitment of new children's panel members in Scotland in the current autumn.
§ Mr. LangThe costs incurred centrally in the recent national advertising campaign for applicants to be considered for membership of children's panels amounted to £45,000. It is understood some regions have undertaken further local advertising, but details of these costs are not available centrally.