HC Deb 04 March 2002 vol 381 c50W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his position towards Council Document 14461/01, on the Competence, Recognition and Execution of Decisions Pertaining to Parental Responsibility. [39652]

Mr. Wills

I have been asked to reply.

The UK supports the underlying aim of this proposal, which is to improve arrangements in cross-border cases, and in particular to extend the principle of mutual recognition to all decisions on parental responsibility by establishing a clear and coherent set of rules for attributing jurisdiction and proper arrangements for co-operation between national courts and authorities. An explanatory memorandum on the proposal has been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.