Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Rees-Mogg (Crossbench). It was answered on Wednesday, 12 December 2007.

Courts: Family Cases

Question: My Lords, does the Minister agree that the child may be better protected by information being available to the public than by privacy? Privacy is not necessarily a guarantee of the child’s security.

Answer: My Lords, I hear what the noble Lord says. As noble Lords will be aware, the 2006 consultation paper contained a proposal to allow more open access to the media. However, in the ensuing months, in discussions with children’s organisations and at various meetings and events arranged with children who have been through care proceedings, a very strong view came back from the children that privacy was indeed paramount. That has had a strong influence on the Government’s decision in this area.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 697 c225
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Disclosure of information Care proceedings Adoption Judgements Family proceedings Parents
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk