§ Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring into force sections 64 and 65 of the Children Act 1975.
§ Mr. MoyleI have been asked to reply.
Section 65 of the Children Act 1975, which enables courts in certain circumstances to grant legal aid to parents in care and related proceedings, came into force on 26 November 1976. It can be used only where an order has been made under section 64 that parents may not represent the child in the proceedings. Part of section 64, which enables such orders to be made in proceedings arising from unopposed applications for the discharge of care or supervision orders, has been brought into force. The remainder, which enables orders to be made in proceedings where the child is first brought before the court, has not been brought into force because it has substantial resource implications for local authorities 253W and the probation service. I am re-examining the costs and timing of implementing the outstanding provisions of the Act with the local authority associations.