HC Deb 01 May 2003 vol 404 c490W
Mr. Watson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what alternatives there are to the court system for dealing with contact order disputes. [110369]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Government encourages family mediation in suitable cases. It provides an opportunity for parties to reach a workable solution, with the assistance of an impartial third party. Evidence suggests that agreed solutions are more likely to last. Publicly funded mediation has been available throughout England and Wales since March 1997.