§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has for funding family conciliation services; which departmental budget funds such services at present; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI have been asked to reply.
Local family conciliation services in England and Wales are currently funded by the voluntary and private sectors with assistance in some areas from the probation service and local authorities. No Department currently funds such services directly and the Government have no current plans to introduce such funding.
The Lord Chancellor's Department is considering the role of conciliation services in England and Wales as part of the wider review of family law announced earlier this year.