§ 9. Mr. Martyn Jones (Clwyd, South)When he expects to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the north Wales child abuse inquiry. [114270]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Paul Murphy)The report of the tribunal of inquiry into the abuse of children in care in north Wales made 969 72 recommendations, most of which do not require primary legislation. At the top of the list is the tribunal's call for the appointment of a children's commissioner for Wales. I have already announced that the Government will table an amendment to the Care Standards Bill to make provision for the children's commissioner for Wales covering children in care.
§ Mr. JonesI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. He will know that I am not happy with the way in which the Waterhouse report was drafted, but its recommendations are very important. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the children's commissioner will have the widest possible powers?
§ Mr. MurphyMy hon. Friend will be aware that the Care Standards Bill is being used to introduce the children's commissioner to ensure that the recommendations of Waterhouse on children in care are implemented as speedily as possible. The National Assembly is currently examining the matter of the commissioner's wider remit. We will discuss the remit with the Assembly to determine how best to take the matter forward.