Seventh Sitting (afternoon). New clause 11 (Scope of inspections by the Chief Inspector), debated and withdrawn. New clause 12 (Adoption targets), debated and withdrawn. New clause 13 (Responsibilities of parenthood), discussed with new clause 12 (Issue of written judgment relating to a court order in family proceedings), and new clause 18 (Family proceedings: evidence), debated and withdrawn. New clause 14 (Payment of fees), discussed with new clause 40 (Complaints against foster carers), debated and withdrawn. New clause 16 (Medical records of adopted children), discussed with new clause 21 (Duty to keep records), and new clause 22 (Duty to provide access to records), debated and withdrawn. New clause 20 (Duty to consider children's views in service improvement), debated and withdrawn. New clause 24 (Guardians for children with special protection needs), debated and withdrawn. New clause 25 (Health assessments and care), debated and withdrawn. New clause 28 (Limitation period), debated and withdrawn. New clause 31 (Duty to assess provision of independent advocacy services), discussed with new clause 32 (Access to advocacy services), debated and withdrawn. New clause 36 (Care of young persons up to age 21), debated and withdrawn. Bill, as amended, to be reported to the House (Bill 133).

Seventh Sitting (afternoon). New clause 11 (Scope of inspections by the Chief Inspector), debated and withdrawn. New clause 12 (Adoption targets), debated and withdrawn. New clause 13 (Responsibilities of parenthood), discussed with new clause 12 (Issue of written judgment relating to a court order in family proceedings), and new clause...

Fifth Sitting (afternoon). Clauses 19 to 45 agreed to, with clause 45 agreed to as amended. Amendment to clause 20 negatived on division (6 votes to 8). Clause 26 discussed with new clause 37 (Duty to collect and provide information for inspections), new clause 38 (Consultation prior to preparation of inspection reports), and new clause 39 (Provision of inspection reports). Clause 35 discussed with new clause 15 (Registration scheme). Schedules 2 and 3 agreed to.

Fifth Sitting (afternoon). Clauses 19 to 45 agreed to, with clause 45 agreed to as amended. Amendment to clause 20 negatived on division (6 votes to 8). Clause 26 discussed with new clause 37 (Duty to collect and provide information for inspections), new clause 38 (Consultation prior to preparation of...

First Sitting (morning). Programme motion agreed to. Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to. Clause 8 under consideration.

First Sitting (morning). Programme motion agreed to. Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to. Clause 8 under consideration.

I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. I shall certainly come on to that point, but at this stage I shall just say that independent advocacy is particularly important for those severely disabled children who may be forced by the severity of their condition to remain in a residential...

I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. I shall certainly come on to that point, but at this stage I shall just say that independent advocacy is particularly important for those severely disabled children who may be forced by the severity of their condition to remain in a residential...

Children and Young Persons Bill (HL). Second reading debate. Agreed to on question. Programme motion on proceedings in Committee, Report, Third reading and other proceedings. Agreed to on question. Money resolution agreed to on question.

Children and Young Persons Bill (HL). Second reading debate. Agreed to on question. Programme motion on proceedings in Committee, Report, Third reading and other proceedings. Agreed to on question. Money resolution agreed to on question.

As I have pointed out to the hon. Gentleman on many occasions, there were no financial targets attached to the national adoption targets that we are talking about. Neither is there any evidence whatever that supports the contention that he has made on a number of occasions, which is that...

As I have pointed out to the hon. Gentleman on many occasions, there were no financial targets attached to the national adoption targets that we are talking about. Neither is there any evidence whatever that supports the contention that he has made on a number of occasions, which is that...

I thank my hon. Friend for that and I join her in paying tribute to the fantastic work that foster carers do. I know that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State met a group of foster carers today to talk about the ““staying put”” pilots, and he announced the...

I thank my hon. Friend for that and I join her in paying tribute to the fantastic work that foster carers do. I know that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State met a group of foster carers today to talk about the ““staying put”” pilots, and he announced the...

I absolutely agree, and I believe that it is possible. When it works, it is empowering for foster parents, the children and the natural parents. It is counter-intuitive for most people, but we have to be brave on behalf of those children and young people, who do not get a...

I absolutely agree, and I believe that it is possible. When it works, it is empowering for foster parents, the children and the natural parents. It is counter-intuitive for most people, but we have to be brave on behalf of those children and young people, who do not get a...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make what is my maiden speech. I wish to speak briefly on the Bill before the House, but before doing so, I want to pay tribute to my predecessor. For 34 years, Gwyneth Dunwoody served Crewe, from 1974 until 1983, and...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make what is my maiden speech. I wish to speak briefly on the Bill before the House, but before doing so, I want to pay tribute to my predecessor. For 34 years, Gwyneth Dunwoody served Crewe, from 1974 until 1983, and...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr. Timpson) on his speech. I especially applaud him for his kind words about his predecessor, who was a perfectly splendid Member of Parliament and a role model for us all. I recognise his description of his constituency, having spent many...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr. Timpson) on his speech. I especially applaud him for his kind words about his predecessor, who was a perfectly splendid Member of Parliament and a role model for us all. I recognise his description of his constituency, having spent many...

The Minister is saying that best value 163 was scrapped at the end of 2005-06. Does he not agree that, in fact, it was still extant for 2007-08 and has been scrapped only since then?

The Minister is saying that best value 163 was scrapped at the end of 2005-06. Does he not agree that, in fact, it was still extant for 2007-08 and has been scrapped only since then?

Does my hon. Friend fear that some local authorities have hidden behind the term ““exceptional circumstances”” in the existing legislation in respect of their willingness to award grants to grandparents and others?

Does my hon. Friend fear that some local authorities have hidden behind the term ““exceptional circumstances”” in the existing legislation in respect of their willingness to award grants to grandparents and others?

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I understand the point that we do not want people doing this just for money; it has to be more than that. On the other hand, I hope we can make progress with regard to situations in which hardship is created or...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I understand the point that we do not want people doing this just for money; it has to be more than that. On the other hand, I hope we can make progress with regard to situations in which hardship is created or...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble), who speaks with such authority on this subject, as, indeed, did my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr. Timpson). I am delighted to have the opportunity to endorse the tribute paid...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble), who speaks with such authority on this subject, as, indeed, did my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr. Timpson). I am delighted to have the opportunity to endorse the tribute paid...

I welcome all the steps taken in the Bill, but I think the most important comment that has been made about it is that it represents a radical step change in ambitions. I am sure the Minister will not be surprised to hear that I intend to begin by talking...

I welcome all the steps taken in the Bill, but I think the most important comment that has been made about it is that it represents a radical step change in ambitions. I am sure the Minister will not be surprised to hear that I intend to begin by talking...

I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this very important debate, especially as it is about protecting some of the most vulnerable children in our society. The proposals are fantastic and will no doubt improve the general health and well-being of looked-after children. However, I want to...

I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this very important debate, especially as it is about protecting some of the most vulnerable children in our society. The proposals are fantastic and will no doubt improve the general health and well-being of looked-after children. However, I want to...

Does my hon. Friend suspect that there are occasions when the outcome of an assessment can be informed by the availability of funding to provide the right treatment?

Does my hon. Friend suspect that there are occasions when the outcome of an assessment can be informed by the availability of funding to provide the right treatment?

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth), to whose indefatigable and outstanding work, in particular on behalf of runaway children, I should like to pay the warmest possible tribute. I was delighted also to hear the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel)...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth), to whose indefatigable and outstanding work, in particular on behalf of runaway children, I should like to pay the warmest possible tribute. I was delighted also to hear the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel)...

There is absolutely no doubt that some judgments are determined on the basis of available resources rather than on the extent of the need. If I am to be fair to the Government, I must say to my hon. Friend that in probably any imaginable system some regard will have...

There is absolutely no doubt that some judgments are determined on the basis of available resources rather than on the extent of the need. If I am to be fair to the Government, I must say to my hon. Friend that in probably any imaginable system some regard will have...

As time is limited, I will aim to say everything that I want to say in about three minutes to allow for three minutes for another speech. Hon. Members will be aware that I chair an organisation called Justice for Families, which concerns itself with failures and miscarriages of justice...

As time is limited, I will aim to say everything that I want to say in about three minutes to allow for three minutes for another speech. Hon. Members will be aware that I chair an organisation called Justice for Families, which concerns itself with failures and miscarriages of justice...