The second expert’s evidence goes to the same court hearing.

The second expert’s evidence goes to the same court hearing.

We already have academics in place doing research, but they are not given access to that particular material.

We already have academics in place doing research, but they are not given access to that particular material.

How do we improve the quality of expert witness advice without peer review?

How do we improve the quality of expert witness advice without peer review?

As things currently stand, the evidence provided by expert witnesses is not subject to any process of peer review, so over time, their expert evidence will never change.

As things currently stand, the evidence provided by expert witnesses is not subject to any process of peer review, so over time, their expert evidence will never change.

The guardian ad litem is already a litigation friend. It is not a question of having a new body; it is a question of having one that is clearly independent of the previous proceeding.

The guardian ad litem is already a litigation friend. It is not a question of having a new body; it is a question of having one that is clearly independent of the previous proceeding.

The litigation friend is not necessarily a lawyer.

The litigation friend is not necessarily a lawyer.

The evidence from the case of A and S v. Lancashire county council indicates that that is the case; that the independent reviewing officer was not sufficiently independent.

The evidence from the case of A and S v. Lancashire county council indicates that that is the case; that the independent reviewing officer was not sufficiently independent.

My contention is that it would not add more complexity; it would merely ensure that we do not have to wait until a child is considered competent before their complaints can be heard by the court.

My contention is that it would not add more complexity; it would merely ensure that we do not have to wait until a child is considered competent before their complaints can be heard by the court.

Will the hon. Gentleman accept it from me that my objective in the Bill is actually to keep things relatively simple? Will he, as a doctor, say whether he thinks it would be useful to have a system to ensure that when a doctor feels that a child in care...

Will the hon. Gentleman accept it from me that my objective in the Bill is actually to keep things relatively simple? Will he, as a doctor, say whether he thinks it would be useful to have a system to ensure that when a doctor feels that a child in care...

rose—

rose—

I did not check the draft legislation for the family justice review because I assumed it covered only the family justice review, with which I disagree. In fact, it does cover that and I have now reviewed it. First, I do not think it fixes the problems; and, secondly, I...

I did not check the draft legislation for the family justice review because I assumed it covered only the family justice review, with which I disagree. In fact, it does cover that and I have now reviewed it. First, I do not think it fixes the problems; and, secondly, I...

It is an issue for Committee.

It is an issue for Committee.

The idea is to have someone there to provide people with psychological support. Everyone else is not associated with them. They may have solicitors

there as well. For instance, the mother of a 17 or 18-year-old young mother could be there, or an embassy representative could be there for foreign...

The idea is to have someone there to provide people with psychological support. Everyone else is not associated with them. They may have solicitors

there as well. For instance, the mother of a 17 or 18-year-old young mother could be there, or an embassy representative could be there for foreign...

Will the hon. Gentleman say how we can ensure that an expert is giving good advice without having peer review at some stage?

Will the hon. Gentleman say how we can ensure that an expert is giving good advice without having peer review at some stage?

I beg to move, that the House sit in private.

Question put and negatived.

I beg to move, that the House sit in private.

Question put and negatived.

I am not proposing in the Bill that there is, in effect, an experts appeal. I am proposing that we use the body of expert evidence and the process of peer review to improve the quality of expert evidence. The expert might find, having read the peer review of their...

I am not proposing in the Bill that there is, in effect, an experts appeal. I am proposing that we use the body of expert evidence and the process of peer review to improve the quality of expert evidence. The expert might find, having read the peer review of their...

That is very true. If Parliament wishes its laws to be enforced, it needs to protect people who want them implemented, but at the moment we do not so. We have seen it with the Savile saga, but that is not unique. Let us remember all the bullying and threatening...

That is very true. If Parliament wishes its laws to be enforced, it needs to protect people who want them implemented, but at the moment we do not so. We have seen it with the Savile saga, but that is not unique. Let us remember all the bullying and threatening...

That is the problem. Unless we allow people to complain and we protect people’s right to complain, the rule of law cannot apply, because we do not know that somebody has infringed the law. This applies in all areas.

If the Government decide to knock out all but one of the...

That is the problem. Unless we allow people to complain and we protect people’s right to complain, the rule of law cannot apply, because we do not know that somebody has infringed the law. This applies in all areas.

If the Government decide to knock out all but one of the...

The hon. Lady is exactly right, and we almost endorse that by our laxness in protecting people with valid grievances.

The hon. Lady is exactly right, and we almost endorse that by our laxness in protecting people with valid grievances.

It is about improving the quality of life for families, and it fits within the short and long title of the Bill. We are here to improve the quality of life for families. I think of the Longitude Act 1714, when Parliament took action to encourage innovation that produced all...

It is about improving the quality of life for families, and it fits within the short and long title of the Bill. We are here to improve the quality of life for families. I think of the Longitude Act 1714, when Parliament took action to encourage innovation that produced all...