§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had about the office of Children's Rights Commissioner as part of the work leading up to the United Kingdom's response to the United Nations Committee on Children's Rights; and if he will make a statement. [41369]
§ Mr. BoatengOn 12 January 1998, I met a delegation to discuss possible ways of assessing the potential value of a Children's Rights Commissioner for England. We asked officials to prepare an initial assessment of the progress made by other countries who have established a Children's Rights Commissioner or similar office. We expect that report by the end of June. Thereafter, we will consider whether further work should be initiated and within what timetable. The preparation of the United Kingdom's second report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is expected to be concluded by the end of 1998 and the report will be published early in 1999. Copies will be placed in the Library.