Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Social Services – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 November 1973.
Miss Joan Lestor
, Eton and Slough
12:00,
6 November 1973
Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that at any given time during the past few years between 2,500 and 3,000 young children have been in care of local authorities because of homelessness? If the Secretary of State is keen to break the cycle of deprivation—as I am sure he is—is it not essential that local authorities be instructed to ensure that children in care—who, incidentally, cost at least £20 a week each to look after, though that should not be the main consideration—are given top priority in housing with their parents?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
