Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 June 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 June 2001. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 June 2001 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the launch of the Children's and Families' Service.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the launch of the Children's and Families' Service. [19] Ms Rosie Winterton: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), a non- departmental public body, is a new dedicated service to safeguard and promote the best interests of children involved in family court proceedings. CAFCASS was only launched on 1 April 2001 and it is still early in the life of the new organisation. The Lord Chancellor is accountable to Parliament for the service's activities and performance and I am taking a close interest in its operation.

Secondary information