§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the launch of the children and families Service.[19]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), a non-departmental public body, is a new dedicated service to safeguard and promote the best interests of children involved in family court proceedings. CAFCASS was only launched on 1 April 2001 and it is still early in the life of the new organisation. The Lord Chancellor is accountable to Parliament for the service's activities and performance and I am taking a close interest in its operation.