EDM
869 - WORKINGS OF THE CHILDREN ACT 2004
"That this House urges the Government to remove the veil
of secrecy from the workings of the Children Act 2004; considers that
the closed door policy of the family courts breeds suspicion and a culture
of secrecy which does nothing to instil confidence in those using them,
which affects not just the courts but the social services departments
of local authorities; and believes that it is possible to preserve the
anonymity of children involved in the proceedings without the cumbersome
rules which obstruct parents from receiving advice and support, which
in particular works to the disadvantage of parents with special learning
difficulty" - Eric Pickles MP http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=29194&SESSION=875
House
of Commons
- 26th Oct 2005
Mr.
Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar) (Con): Does the right hon.
Gentleman share my concern that secrecy surrounding the Children Act
2004 is having a corrosive effect on justice and on social services
departments? Surely it is possible to retain the anonymity of the child
without the appalling restrictions on parents facing forced adoptions.
They often face a greater degree of control than someone facing a criminal
charge. In particular, they are unable to tell their employers why they
are taking so much time off work, which places parents with learning
difficulties at a peculiar disadvantage. Will the right hon. Gentleman
look towards opening up the decisions of the courts and, following the
suggestion of the Select Committee, find ways of making the operations
of the Children Act much more open?
The
Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon): Many years
ago, I worked on cases of this sort and I appreciate the sensitivity
of the matters involved and the way in which the hon. Gentleman has
raised this important issue. I know that my right hon. and learned Friend
the Lord Chancellor—and, indeed, the Department for Constitutional Affairs—is
looking at ways of opening up the process without in any way jeopardising
the interests of those involved. It is a delicate and sensitive issue.
I am aware of efforts to open up the process in the United States, which
have been broadly welcomed by the parties concerned, and I know that
the Lord Chancellor is studying what happens there very carefully.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051026/debtext/51026-03.htm#51026-03_spnew33
