Written question asked by Hilton Dawson (Labour) on Thursday, 11 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 22 March 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, what assessment he has made of the possible problems of coordination that might arise from the establishment of a local safeguarding board to cover a Lancashire children's services authority under Clause 9 of the Children Bill. (Holding answer 16 March 2004).

Answer: Mr. Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the possible problems of co-ordination that might arise from the establishment of a local safeguarding board to cover a Lancashire children's services authority under Clause 9 of the Children Bill. [161979] Margaret Hodge: [holding answer 16 March 2004]: The responses to the consultation on the Green Paper, "Every Child Matters", strongly supported the vision it set out and included a great deal of helpful feedback on the practical issues county councils and other partners will need to address in implementing the proposed changes. "Every Child Matters: Next Steps", published on 4 March, sets out the Government's proposals for both legislative change and a programme for change and support for local leadership in delivering those reforms, ahead of the 2004 Spending Review. We have also begun informal discussions with local authority associations including the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services. We will consult formally on regulations and guidance on Local Safeguarding Children Boards in due course.

Secondary information