Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 January 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ask for an urgent meeting with the Home Office regarding child protection to discuss implications of the Newham Area Child Protection Committee Report on the Ainlee Walker case.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ask for an urgent meeting with the Home Office regarding child protection to discuss implications of the Newham Area Child Protection Committee Report on the Ainlee Walker case. [89357] Jacqui Smith: The Government recognise that there is still more to be done to ensure that high standards of child protection are applied in every case. That is why it commissioned "Safeguarding Children", the Joint Chief Inspectors' report on arrangements to safeguard children. It is also why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary set up the statutory Inquiry, chaired by Lord Laming, into the circumstances leading up to, and surrounding, the death of Victoria Climbie«. The issues raised by Victoria's case are wide-ranging, in terms of both policy and practice. The recommendations of the Joint Chief Inspectors' report and those of the Victoria Climbie« Inquiry will provide us with an authoritative basis for any reforms to child protection that may need to be made, and, if radical reform is necessary, we will implement it. In considering these reports, the Government will also consider all relevant recommendations in the Ainlee Walker/Labonte Serious Case Review report and those arising from any other serious case review reports that may be published in the near future.

Secondary information