§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration was given to the publication of an interim report of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIt is entirely for Sheriff Kearney, as chairman of the inquiry, to decide on the form of reporting.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the cost of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: I refer to the reply that my hon. Friend gave on 25 April at column 152.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he expects the inquiry into child care policy in Fife region to finish;
(2) when he expects to receive Sheriff Kearney's report on child care policy in Fife;
(3) whether the findings of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife will be made public;
(4) when he expects to publish the findings of the report into child care policy in Fife region.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: I understand that the inquiry is likely to complete 133W taking oral evidence in mid-December. Thereafter my right hon. and learned Friend looks forward to receiving Sheriff Kearney's report, so that he can decide whether it should be published.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has assessed the impact of the inquiry into child care policies in Fife on the proper discharge of social work responsibilities by Fife regional council.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: Fife regional council welcomed the inquiry and agreed to co-operate fully with it. The council is responsible for the proper discharge of its responsibilities under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 during the period of the inquiry, as at all other times.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the persons or organisations consulted about child care policy in Fife prior to the announcement to set up the inquiry.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: Officials of the social work services group discussed aspects of child care policy in Fife with senior officials of the regional council, as well as representatives of the children's panel.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the information and evidence upon which the decision was taken to hold an inquiry into child care policies in Fife.
134W
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: The background to the remit to the inquiry was set out in the memorandum which social work services group provided for the chairman in April 1989 and which he had circulated to the parties to the inquiry.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any other form of investigation into child care policy in Fife was considered prior to the announcement to set up the inquiry.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: The decision to initiate an Inquiry under section 99 of the Children Act 1975 was taken only after an investigation of certain cases by professional advisers in the Scottish Office and after extensive discussions with senior officials of Fife regional council about aspects of the region's child care policies.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the representations received about child care policy in Fife prior to the announcement to set up the inquiry;
(2) what meeting or discussions were held with the chairman of the children's panel in Fife about child care policy in Fife prior to the announcement to set up the inquiry.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 November 1990]: Serious concerns about certain aspects of child care policy in Fife were expressed by representatives of the children's panel, including successive panel chairmen.