§ Margaret MoranTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in implementing the commitments given to both Houses on the issue of child contact during the Adoption and Children Bill proceedings. [110672]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Adoption and Children Bill received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. The Adoption and Children Act was published on 9 December 2002 with explanatory notes following in early January 2003.
My Department with colleagues from the Department of Health are considering plans for the implementation of the main provisions of the Act. However, some elements are considered priority commitments such as the definition of 'harm' in relation to domestic violence: we have begun consultation on amendments to the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (Domestic Violence).