Guardians Ad Litem (Hansard, 10 February 1989)

§ Ms. Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he proposes to enable guardians ad litem to have the power to see all records relating to the child they represent.

§ Mr. Mellor
Provisions on procedure to be added to the Children Bill by Government amendment will provide for access to records by guardians ad litem in accordance with paragraph 57(b) of the White Paper on "The Law on Child Care and Family Services" (Cm. 62).

§ Ms. Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he proposes under the terms of the Children Bill[Lords], that guardians ad litem for children who are not represented by solicitors would have to seek funding for expert opinions from the local authority.

§ Mr. Mellor
No.

§ Ms. Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the independence of guardians ad litem is maintained under the Children Bill[Lords]; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Mellor
I refer the hon. Member to the passages dealing with guardians ad litem in the Lord Chancellor's concluding speech on Second Reading of the Bill in another place on 6 December 1988 at columns 534–36, and his remarks in Committee on 19 January at columns 418–20.