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Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 22: 22: Clause 12, page 9, line 27, after ““functions”” insert ““in relation to England”” The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 24 to 32, 55 and 71. These government amendments enable the full implementation of the policy of the Welsh Assembly Government in relation to independent reviewing officers. The effect of the amendments is to confer on Welsh Ministers powers in relation to Wales identical to those conferred on the Secretary of State in relation to England. The Bill before Parliament provides powers for the Secretary of State to make national arrangements for delivery of IRO functions and related matters in England, either through a new body corporate or by conferring additional functions on CAFCASS if in future evidence suggests that IROs are not securing significant improvements for children in care. The Welsh Assembly Government would like to put in place similar arrangements for Wales. These amendments provide equivalent powers for Welsh Ministers to establish arrangements for delivery of IRO functions in Wales, either through a new body corporate or by conferring additional functions on Welsh Ministers. The amendments provide for Welsh Ministers to exercise such a power by order, which will be laid in draft and approved by the National Assembly for Wales and, having been so approved, be laid in draft and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament before being made. I beg to move. On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendment No. 23 not moved.]