asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to lay before the House the proposed amendment to the Boarding Out of Children Regulations 1955 so that single men can be considered for the role of foster parents, following the letter reference PO (PS-HPSS) 2304/22, from the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Melton, dated 14 December 1981, stating that the regulations would come into force early in the new year.

We expect that the amending regulations will be laid before the House rises for the Easter Recess.