---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I was pleased to hear the Minister say that the Government are committed to the principle of introducing anonymous registration to Northern Ireland, that there would be a consultation process and that the legislation would come into effect either onlya few weeks or, at most, a few months after the legislation for the rest of the United Kingdom. I was pleased about those assurances, in view of which I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn."‘For Article 31(1) of the Children (Northern Ireland) OrderSI No.755 (N.I. 2) substitute:""““(1) Where it appears to an authority in relation to any child whom the authority is accommodating under Article 21 for a continuous period of more than 3 months that it would be in the child's best interests for an independent person to be appointed to be his visitor for the purposes of this Article, the authority shall appoint such a visitor.""(1A) In ascertaining the child's best interest under 31(1) the authority must take into account the child's age and understanding about the appointment of an independent visitor subject to subsection (5).””.'.—[Lady Hermon.]" Brought up, and read the First time.