§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what efforts are being made to monitor the operation of section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989. [15948]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansI have been asked to reply. The Lord Chancellor's Department is undertaking a review of the operation of the Children Act, with a particular emphasis on minimising delay. The Children Act advisory committee is also monitoring the implementation of the Act and a number of research projects are being undertaken.
The Department collects statistics on the number of applications for section 8 orders received, orders made, orders refused, orders of no order made and applications withdrawn.