HC Deb 22 January 1998 vol 304 cc685-6W
Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Scottish Office will respond separately to the UN Committee Report on the United Kingdom's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of The Child. [24343]

Mr. Galbraith

No. The obligation to report to the UN Committee applies to the UK as a whole. The forthcoming Report to the Committee will therefore be a UK Report, although it will fully recognise the significant contribution Scotland is making in implementing the Convention.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to appoint a children's rights commissioner in Scotland. [24345]

Mr. Galbraith

The Government have no plans to appoint a children's rights commissioner in Scotland. There are already in place independent complaints procedures and inspection arrangements for services provided by local authorities. Voluntary organisations such as ChildLine and the Scottish Child Law Centre, which are both supported with Government grant, also play an important part. However in the process of preparing the Second UK Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child this year, an assessment may be made of the potential contribution such an appointment might bring to safeguard the interests of children.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to involve young people in Scotland in the process of preparing the Government's response to the report on the United Kingdom's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [24342]

Mr. Galbraith

During 1998 the Government will be preparing the Second United Kingdom Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the requirements of Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Early in that process there will be a UK wide Launch Conference at which children will be making a presentation. We are currently considering the means by which the views of Scottish young people can best be reflected in the Scottish contribution to the Report.