§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the United Kingdom's initial report to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child will be published; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisI am pleased to announce that the United Kingdom's initial report on implementation of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child was submitted to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child today. The report is also published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today. Copies have been placed in the Library. A distribution of copies will be made shortly to the large public libraries, local authorities, health authorities and national health service trusts and to a selection of voluntary child care organisations. Similar distributions will take place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The report details how United Kingdom law, policy and practice meet the provisions of the convention. It reveals a positive record in the United Kingdom on the treatment of children, as well as detailing the safeguards that exist, and which we are constantly seeking to improve, to ensure children's rights to special consideration and protection are met.