Written question asked by John Stanley (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 January 2002. It was answered by Lord Wills (Labour) on Thursday, 24 January 2002 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what amendments the Government is seeking to the September 2001 Proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matters of parental responsibility; and if it is the Government's policy that this Council Regulation should take legal effect.

Answer: Sir John Stanley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what amendments the Government are seeking to the September 2001 proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matters of parental responsibility; and if it is the Government's policy that this Council regulation should take legal effect. [29531] Mr. Wills: The Government support the underlying aim of this proposal--namely, to extend the principle of mutual recognition to all decisions on parental responsibility by establishing a clear and coherent set of rules for attributing jurisdiction, and putting in place arrangements for co-operation between the courts and central authorities of the member states. The Government are concerned to ensure that negotiations take full account of the operation of the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction. Negotiations are still at an early stage, and it is too early to assess whether the proposal should be adopted by Ministers and incorporated into national legislation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 29531; 378 c1025W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Children Custody Enforcement Jurisdiction EU action Judgements Parental responsibility
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk