Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 25 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) public and (b) private cases had been unallocated in each of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service regions as at 31st August. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) public and (b) private cases had been unallocated in each of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service regions as at 31 August. [194223] Margaret Hodge: CAFCASS' foremost priority is to reduce further the number of unallocated cases, and the service is currently developing a strategy across England and Wales to do so. The information requested for the Regions and Wales is as follows: Public Law unallocated at 31 August 2004: East Midlands--2 Eastern--6 Greater London--117 North East--31 North West--92 South East--17 South West--14 West Midlands--34 Yorkshire and Humberside--54 Wales--1 Total: 368 (3.2 per cent. of total workload) The number of public law live (allocated and on-going) cases at the end of August 2004 was 11,136. Private Law unallocated less than 10 weeks before filing date at 31 August 2004: East Midlands--0 Eastern--0 Greater London--82 North East--27 North West--24 South East--37 South West--98 West Midlands--55 Yorkshire and Humberside--45 Wales--1 Total: 369 (4.2 per cent. of total workload) The number of private law live (allocated and on- going) cases at the end of August 2004 was 6,952.

Secondary information