Written question asked by Kelvin Hopkins (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 July 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 July 2011. It was answered by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Monday, 11 July 2011 on behalf of the CAFCASS.

Family Courts

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many guardian ad litems were employed by family courts in England and Wales in 2010.

Answer: The Department does not hold this information; this is an operational matter for which CAFCASS is responsible. CAFCASS's chief executive, Anthony Douglas, has written to the hon. Member with this information. A copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.Letter from Anthony Douglas, dated 7 July 2011:"I am writing to you in response to the Parliamentary Question that you tabled recently: The response applies to England only.""The number of Family Court Advisers employed by Cafcass as at 31 December 2010 is as follows:""Family Courts Advisers—1,110""Self Employed Contractors—approximately 350.""It is important to note that the family courts are not the employers of those who work as guardians ad litem and that both employed Family Court Advisers and self-employed contractors are able to be appointed by the courts to fulfil the functions of a guardian ad litem."

Secondary information