To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give an estimate of (a) the total costs incurred to date by the inquiry into child care policy in Fife and (b) of the costs of the chairman, the adviser and the clerk with appropriate office support for a period of three years;(2) if he will give an estimate of the costs incurred by
(a) Fife regional council and (b) the other principal parties represented at the inquiry into child care policy in Fife.
The estimated total costs incurred to date by the Scottish Office in relation to the inquiry is £792,000. This includes £500,000 in respect of the costs of the chairman, the adviser and the clerk with appropriate office support. I have no information on the costs incurred by others who are parties to the inquiry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland is he will list those inquiries into child care policy in Scotland which have taken more than two years.
Three inquiries have been established under section 99 of the Childrens Act 1975. Of these only the Fife inquiry has extended beyond two years of the date of establishment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the inquiry into child care policy in Fife will be completed; when the report will be submitted; and whether it will be published.
My right hon. Friend has been advised by the chairman of the inquiry that he expects to submit his report at the end of April. As soon as he has considered the report my right hon. Friend will make a decision about publication.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will exercise the powers available to him under section 210(8) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to meet the costs incurred by Fife regional council and the other parties to the inquiry into child care policies in Fife from central Government funds;(2) if he will exercise the powers available to him under section 210(7) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to meet the total costs incurred by the inquiry into child care policy in Fife from central Government funds.
Once my right hon. Friend receives the report of the inquiry into child care services in Fife, he will consider whether and in what way to exercise the powers contained in section 210 sub-sections (7) and (8) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.