§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has met Sheriff Brian Kearney during the inquiry into child care policy in Fife region.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the findings from the inquiry into child care policy in Fife will be made public; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when the inquiry into child care policy in Fife will be completed; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will make a statement on progress being made by the inquiry into child care policy in Fife region;
(4) when he is likely to receive the findings of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife from Sheriff Brian Kearney.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 23 April 1990]: I understand that Sheriff Kearney has reached an advanced stage in taking evidence but he is not yet able to indicate a final date for submission of his report. When the Secretary of State receives the report, he will decide whether to make its findings public.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the reasons why the inquiry into Fife regional council which was to be completed within three months from 1 March 1989 has now been running for over 12 months.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 23 April 1990]: It is for the chairman of the inquiry to determine the procedures necessary for carrying it out and to judge the length of time needed to explore the issues fully.
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§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife and indicate who will pay the costs.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 23 April 1990]: Since the inquiry is still in progress, it is not possible to estimate its costs reliably. When he has received the report of the inquiry, the Secretary of State will decide, in accordance with the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, whether to hold Fife regional council liable to pay all or part of the expenses of the inquiry.