asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Working Party on Fostering Practice will report; and if she is satisfied that boarding out allowances for foster children are keeping pace with inflation.

The working party still has a great deal to do, but its guide on fostering practice should be ready later this year. Local authorities are free to determine their own rates of boarding-out allowances, and I regret that we have no information on which to answer the second part of my hon. Friend's Question.