§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will approve the establishment of independent Children's Commissioners in areas of the United Kingdom in addition to Wales to help protect and promote the welfare of all children. [HL772]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe establishment of independent children's rights commissioners in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is a matter for those devolved administrations. Through the Care Standards Act 2000, we have created the role of Children's Rights Director which is targeted at meeting the needs of those children in greatest need of additional safeguards. With regard to a commissioner for all children in England, we will of course carefully consider the Welsh experience to see if there are lessons which we can learn in England that would help to protect and promote the welfare of all children.