HC Deb 18 July 2003 vol 409 cc719-20W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases which are the responsibility of CAFCASS remain unallocated; how many of these are considered to be at high risk; and how many are in the Greater London area. [124919]

Margaret Hodge

Of 12,077 public law cases being dealt with by CAFCASS in May 2003, 511 cases were unallocated1 Of the 8,398 private law cases being dealt with in May 2003, 399 cases were unallocated2. 263 of these unallocated cases were in Greater London. Cases where there is an identified risk to children are given priority by the service, but data are not collected on the number of high risk cases it is involved in. Under the Children Act 1989, an Emergency Protection Order can be granted by a court, to safeguard children likely to suffer significant harm. These orders are granted within 24 hours of an application to the court. 1 Unallocated seven days after a request from Court is received by CAFCASS. 2 Unallocated less than 10 weeks before a CAFCASS report is filed at Court.