Oral answer to question provided on Wednesday, 25 November 2009 in the House of Lords, by Lord West of Spithead (Labour).

Independent Safeguarding Authority

Answer: My Lords, the answer is no, but the noble Lord raises an issue. I spoke about there being too much paranoia about this. We have to remember that while there have been horrible cases—indeed, the reason for the ISA is the Bichard report on the Soham murders—the vast majority of people in this country are decent people who have children and look after children and take them around. We must not let these safeguards drive us down the route of doing ludicrous things. However, we have a statutory duty to try to look after people and there has to be a balance. In general, we have got that balance right. The briefing that I read in preparation for this Question—it is why Questions are useful—suggests that we have gone slightly too far in one area, which I shall raise. However, generally, the balance is right, but we must not overreact to these things.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Wednesday, 25 November 2009 by Lord Geddes (Conservative).

Question: It is with pride and pleasure that I take my eight year-old stepgrand-daughter to and from the carol service practice in our local church. Do I need to have clearance from the Independent Safeguarding Authority?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 715 c361
Session: 2009-10
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Children Cohabitation Protection Vetting Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk