§ 73 Clause 22, page 19, line 14, after `child', insert 'so far as is reasonably practicable'.
§ 74 Page 19, line 34, at end insert `or who is not being looked after by them but is in need'.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I should like to take Amendments Nos. 73, 74 and 75 en bloc.
§ Lord Simon of GlaisdaleMy Lords, does Amendment No. 75 go with the preceding amendments?
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I am content to deal with Amendments Nos. 73 and 74 en bloc, and with Amendment No. 75 separately if the noble and learned Lord wishes. Therefore, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 73 and 74.
As regards Amendment No. 73, subsection (2) of Clause 22 itemises matters for which the regulations on reviews of cases of children being looked after by local authorities —Clause 22(1) —may provide. The amendment would qualify subsection (2)(g) by inserting the words underlined as follows:
(g) requiring the authority to inform the child so far as is reasonably practicable of any steps he may take under this Act;".As regards Amendment No. 74, Clause 22(3) requires every local authority to establish a procedure for considering any representations. These include at (a) any child who is being looked after by the authority and this effectively limits the scope of the procedure to representations about cases of children being looked after by the authority. The addition to (a) of the words in the amendment would allow representations by or on behalf of a child who is not being looked after but is in need. That is a lacuna highlighted by the noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies, during earlier considerations. We have managed to catch up with the point. I beg to move.Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendments. —(The Lord Chancellor.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.