§ '(1) Within each county court and magistrates court there shall be created a family division which, together with the Family Division of the High Court, shall operate as a Family Court.
§ (2) The Lord Chancellor shall by rules of court specify the procedures to be followed in order to—
- (a) identify the welfare of the child;
- (b) avoid unnecessary formality;
- (c) reduce delay and inconvenience to the public in resolution of family disputes;
- (d) reduce the harm to children and families resulting from the court process and
- (e) introduce conciliatory methods of dispute resolution.
§ (3) There shall be a welfare and conciliation service attached to the Family Court and it shall include—
- (a) guardians ad litem and reporting officers;
- (b) a family conciliation service in respect of children subject to proceedings under part two.
- (c) social workers appointed to report to the court in proceedings under part two.
§ (4) This section shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint, being not later than eighteen months after the Children Act receives Royal Assent.'.—[Mr. Tom Clarke.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 180, Noes 222.
594| Division No. 332] | [8.34 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Fisher, Mark |
| Adams, Allen (Paisley N) | Flannery, Martin |
| Allen, Graham | Flynn, Paul |
| Alton, David | Foot, Rt Hon Michael |
| Anderson, Donald | Foster, Derek |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Foulkes, George |
| Ashley, Rt Hon Jack | Fyfe, Maria |
| Ashton, Joe | Galloway, George |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Garrett, John (Norwich South) |
| Barnes, Harry (Derbyshire NE) | Garrett, Ted (Wallsend) |
| Barnes, Mrs Rosie (Greenwich) | George, Bruce |
| Barron, Kevin | Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John |
| Battle, John | Godman, Dr Norman A. |
| Beckett, Margaret | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Bell, Stuart | Gordon, Mildred |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Gould, Bryan |
| Bennett, A. F. (D'nt'n & R'dish) | Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Bidwell, Sydney | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Blair, Tony | Hardy, Peter |
| Blunkett, David | Harman, Ms Harriet |
| Boyes, Roland | Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy |
| Bradley, Keith | Healey, Rt Hon Denis |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Heffer, Eric S. |
| Brown, Gordon (D'mline E) | Hinchliffe, David |
| Brown, Nicholas (Newcastle E) | Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth) |
| Buckley, George J. | Home Robertson, John |
| Campbell, Ron (Blyth Valley) | Howarth, George (Knowsley N) |
| Campbell-Savours, D. N. | Howells, Geraint |
| Carlile, Alex (Mont'g) | Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Hughes, John (Coventry NE) |
| Clarke, Tom (Monklands W) | Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) |
| Clay, Bob | Hughes, Sean (Knowsley S) |
| Clelland, David | Illsley, Eric |
| Clwyd, Mrs Ann | Ingram, Adam |
| Cohen, Harry | Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton N) | Jones, Ieuan (Ynys Môn) |
| Cook, Robin (Livingston) | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Corbett, Robin | Lambie, David |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Lamond, James |
| Crowther, Stan | Leadbitter, Ted |
| Cryer, Bob | Leighton, Ron |
| Cummings, John | Lestor, Joan (Eccles) |
| Cunliffe, Lawrence | Lewis, Terry |
| Darling, Alistair | Litherland, Robert |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | Lloyd, Tony (Stratford) |
| Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) | Lofthozuse, Geoffrey |
| Davis, Terry (B'ham Hodge H'I) | Loyden, Eddie |
| Dewar, Donald | McAllion, John |
| Dixon, Don | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Dobson, Frank | McCartney, Ian |
| Doran, Frank | Macdonald, Calum A. |
| Dunwoody, Hon Mrs Gwyneth | McKelvey, William |
| Eadie, Alexander | McLeish, Henry |
| Eastham, Ken | McNamara, Kevin |
| Evans, John (St Helens N) | Madden, Max |
| Ewing, Harry (Falkirk E) | Mahon, Mrs Alice |
| Fearn, Ronald | Marek, Dr John |
| Field, Frank (Birkenhead) | Martlew, Eric |
| Fields, Terry (L'pool B G'n) | Maxton, John |
| Meacher, Michael | Sheerman, Barry |
| Meale, Alan | Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert |
| Michael, Alun | Shore, Rt Hon Peter |
| Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) | Skinner, Dennis |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) |
| Morgan, Rhodri | Smith, C. (Isl'ton & F'bury) |
| Morley, Elliot | Smith, J. P. (Vale of Glam) |
| Morris, Rt Hon A. (W'shawe) | Soley, Clive |
| Mowlam, Marjorie | Spearing, Nigel |
| Mullin, Chris | Steel, Rt Hon David |
| Nellist, Dave | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon | Strang, Gavin |
| Orme, Rt Hon Stanley | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Parry, Robert | Taylor, Rt Hon J. D. (S'ford) |
| Patchett, Terry | Thompson, Jack (Wansbeck) |
| Pendry, Tom | Turner, Dennis |
| Pike, Peter L. | Vaz, Keith |
| Powell, Ray (Ogmore) | Wall, Pat |
| Prescott, John | Wallace, James |
| Primarolo, Dawn | Wareing, Robert N. |
| Quin, Ms Joyce | Watson, Mike (Glasgow, C) |
| Radice, Giles | Welsh, Michael (Doncaster N) |
| Randall, Stuart | Williams, Rt Hon Alan |
| Reid, Dr John | Wilson, Brian |
| Robertson, George | Winnick, David |
| Rogers, Allan | Wise, Mrs Audrey |
| Rooker, Jeff | Worthington, Tony |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Rowlands, Ted | |
| Ruddock, Joan | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Salmond, Alex | Mr. Frank Haynes and |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Mr.Martyn Jones. |
| NOES | |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford) |
| Alexander, Richard | Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael | Colvin, Michael |
| Amess, David | Conway, Derek |
| Amos, Alan | Coombs, Simon (Swindon) |
| Arbuthnot, James | Cope, Rt Hon John |
| Ashby, David | Cormack, Patrick |
| Atkins, Robert | Couchman, James |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset N) | Cran, James |
| Baldry, Tony | Critchley, Julian |
| Banks, Robert (Harrogate) | Currie, Mrs Edwina |
| Batiste, Spencer | Davies, Q. (Stamf'd & Spald'g) |
| Beaumont-Dark, Anthony | Davis, David (Boothferry) |
| Bellingham, Henry | Day, Stephen |
| Bendall, Vivian | Devlin, Tim |
| Bennett, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Dorrell, Stephen |
| Benyon, W. | Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James |
| Bevan, David Gilroy | Dover, Den |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Dunn, Bob |
| Blackburn, Dr John G. | Durant, Tony |
| Blaker, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Eggar, Tim |
| Body, Sir Richard | Evans, David (Welwyn Hatf'd) |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Evennett, David |
| Boscawen, Hon Robert | Favell, Tony |
| Boswell, Tim | Fenner, Dame Peggy |
| Bowden, A (Brighton K'pto'n) | Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) |
| Bowden, Gerald (Dulwich) | Fishburn, John Dudley |
| Bowis, John | Fookes, Dame Janet |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Dr Sir Rhodes | Forman, Nigel |
| Braine, Rt Hon Sir Bernard | Forth, Eric |
| Brazier, Julian | Freeman, Roger |
| Brown, Michael (Brigg & Cl't's) | French, Douglas |
| Bruce, Ian (Dorset South) | Gale, Roger |
| Buck, Sir Antony | Gardiner, George |
| Budgen, Nicholas | Garel-Jones, Tristan |
| Burns, Simon | Glyn, Dr Alan |
| Burt, Alistair | Goodlad, Alastair |
| Butcher, John | Gorman, Mrs Teresa |
| Butler, Chris | Gow, Ian |
| Butterfill, John | Grant, Sir Anthony (CambsSW) |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) |
| Carrington, Matthew | Greenway, John (Ryedale) |
| Carttiss, Michael | Gregory, Conal |
| Chalker, Rt Hon Mrs Lynda | Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth N) |
| Channon, Rt Hon Paul | Grist, Ian |
| Chapman, Sydney | Ground, Patrick |
| Grylls, Michael | Moss, Malcolm |
| Hague, William | Moynihan, Hon Colin |
| Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) | Mudd, David |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Neale, Gerrard |
| Hanley, Jeremy | Nelson, Anthony |
| Hannam, John | Neubert, Michael |
| Hargreaves, Ken (Hyndburn) | Newton, Rt Hon Tony |
| Harris, David | Nicholson, David (Taunton) |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) |
| Hayes, Jerry | Norris, Steve |
| Hayhoe, Rt Hon Sir Barney | Onslow, Rt Hon Cranley |
| Hayward, Robert | Oppenheim, Phillip |
| Heathcoat-Amory, David | Page, Richard |
| Heddle, John | Paice, James |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L. | Patnick, Irvine |
| Hind, Kenneth | Patten, Rt Hon Chris (Bath) |
| Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm) | Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth |
| Hordern, Sir Peter | Porter, Barry (Wirral S) |
| Howard, Michael | Porter, David (Waveney) |
| Howarth, Alan (Strat'd-on-A) | Portillo, Michael |
| Howarth, G. (Cannock & B'wd) | Powell, William (Corby) |
| Howell, Rt Hon David (G'dford) | Price, Sir David |
| Howell, Ralph (North Norfolk) | Raison, Rt Hon Timothy |
| Hughes, Robert G. (Harrow W) | Renton, Tim |
| Hunt, David (Wirral W) | Riddick, Graham |
| Hunter, Andrew | Ridley, Rt Hon Nicholas |
| Irvine, Michael | Ridsdale, Sir Julian |
| Jack, Michael | Roberts, Wyn (Conwy) |
| Jackson, Robert | Rossi, Sir Hugh |
| Janman, Tim | Rost, Peter |
| Jessel, Toby | Rowe, Andrew |
| Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey | Sainsbury, Hon Tim |
| Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine | Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) |
| Key, Robert | Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb') |
| King, Rt Hon Tom (Bridgwater) | Shephard, Mrs G. (Norfolk SW) |
| Kirkhope, Timothy | Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) |
| Knapman, Roger | Shersby, Michael |
| Knight, Greg (Derby North) | Sims, Roger |
| Knight, Dame Jill (Edgbaston) | Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) |
| Knowles, Michael | Soames, Hon Nicholas |
| Knox, David | Speed, Keith |
| Latham, Michael | Speller, Tony |
| Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark | Spicer, Sir Jim (Dorset W) |
| Lilley, Peter | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Lloyd, Sir Ian (Havant) | Squire, Robin |
| Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Lord, Michael | Stern, Michael |
| Lyell, Sir Nicholas | Stevens, Lewis |
| MacKay, Andrew (E Berkshire) | Stewart, Andy (Sherwood) |
| Maclean, David | Stewart, Rt Hon Ian (Herts N) |
| McLoughlin, Patrick | Stokes, Sir John |
| McNair-Wilson, Sir Michael | Stradling Thomas, Sir John |
| McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick | Summerson, Hugo |
| Malins, Humfrey | Taylor, Ian (Esher) |
| Mans, Keith | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Maples, John | Thurnham, Peter |
| Marland, Paul | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Marshall, Michael (Arundel) | Townsend, Cyril D. (B'heath) |
| Martin, David (Portsmouth S) | Waddington, Rt Hon David |
| Maude, Hon Francis | Waller, Gary |
| Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Mayhew, Rt Hon Sir Patrick | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Mellor, David | Yeo, Tim |
| Meyer, Sir Anthony | |
| Mills, Iain | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Mitchell, Sir David | Mr. Michael Fallon and |
| Morrison, Sir Charles | Mr. Tom Sackville. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.