§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is being made to prevent a child who is being provided with accommodation by a local authority under clause 17 of the Children Bill[Lords] from being removed without their consent and without warning by a person with parental responsibility for the child.
§ Mr. MellorIn accordance with paragraphs 22 and 23 of the White Paper "The Law on Child Care and Family Services" (Cm. 62), the Bill does not require notice of intended removal to be given where children are being provided with accommodation under voluntary arrangements. The power of any person who has parental responsibility for a child to remove him from accommodation provided by or on behalf of the local authority under clause 17 does not apply where the child is aged 16 or over, by virtue of clause 17(10). The Lord Chancellor gave an outline of provisions enabling a person caring for the child to prevent removal in extreme situations in another place on 6 February at column 1412.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial provision is being made to local authorities to carry out their duties under part III of the Children Bill[Lords].
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§ Mr. MellorThe financial consequences for local authorities will be discussed with the local authorities associations and taken into account in setting the level of aggregate Exchequer revenue finance in 1990–91.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to ensure that children continue to be represented in care and related proceedings by a solicitor; and if he will make a statement about the proposed regulations referred to in clause 36 of the Children Bill[Lords].
§ Mr. MellorI refer the hon. Member to the Lord Chancellor's statement on legal representation of the child in such proceedings on Second Reading of the Bill in another place on 6 December 1988 at column 533–34. I shall make a statement on the regulations provided for in this clause during consideration of the Bill in this House.