§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will consult the National Council for One-Parent Families and the family rights group in connection with the proposed arrangement for juvenile court representation in the same way as he consults local authority associations;
(2) which bodies will be consulted in connection with the Government's proposals for altering the rules for representations in care proceedings; and what time limit for representations will be allowed.
§ Mr. NewtonMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor announced on 17 June—[House of Lords, Official Report, Vol. 431, c. 762–63]—the Government's intention to implement the relevant parts of section 64 of the Children Act 1975 so that legal aid will be available to parents in care proceedings where the court has ordered that the parent shall not be treated as representing the child. We are consulting the local authority associations about our plans because their members institute care preceedings, but we shall, of course, be happy to receive comments from other bodies. These should be submitted wihout delay as we wish to implement the provision as soon as the necessary amendments to rules of court can be completed.