Written question asked by Ian Taylor (Conservative) on Friday, 31 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 November 2008. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Contact Orders

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to implement the provisions in Part 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2006 relating to new powers for the courts to order contact activities and new enforcement powers.

Answer: The implementation of the remaining provisions in Part 1 of the Children and Adoption Act 2006, sections 1 to 5 and 8, relating to new powers for the courts to order contact activities and new enforcement powers were announced on 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 22WS. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice has made a written ministerial statement, outlining that the provisions will come into force on 8 December. The new arrangements will extend to England and Wales and have been agreed by Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas.

Secondary information