HC Deb 27 January 1997 vol 289 cc113-4W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the co-ordination of Government policy relating to children. [11118]

Mr. Burns

Many mechanisms, both formal and informal, are in place to ensure cross-Departmental co-operation in areas of shared interest. There are also arrangements for talking to and consulting both charities and voluntary organisations with an interest in children's issues. These arrangements work well, especially as they have been expanded by the forming of the children's services strategy group.