HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc230-1W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what aspects of family law continue to be the responsibility of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [131404]

Mr. Lammy

The schedule lists all areas of family law and family policy which had been the responsibility of the former Lord Chancellor's Department prior to the Machinery of Government changes which were announced on 13 June 2003.

The schedule indicates which responsibilities remain with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and which have been transferred to the Department for Education and Skills.

Proposed future roles and responsibilities for children and families policy DFES/DCA
DfES DCA
Divorce Transfers (delivery of information comparison/products for parents and children affected by separation/divorce) Part transfer (staying: policy maintenance of Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, repeal of (unimplemented) Part n Family Law Act 1996. Monitoring of delivery of Family Advice and Information Service (FAInS) by the Legal Services Commission)
Child Contact Lead, (implementation of Government response to Children Act Sub-Committee (CASC), "Making Contact Work", Development of child contact services) Contributes (through effective implementation of Section 8 Children Act 1989 in courts)
Child Safety Lead, (implementation of CASC response in areas of Facilitation, enforcement and safety) Contributes (through commencement of revised forms/rules in Section 8 proceedings)
Children's Private Law Lead, (provision of information and other (non-court based) services to parents and children Contributes (through court-based services)
CAFCASS Lead, (both delivery by CAFCASS and operation of sponsor unit), and Lead (as link Minister) to CAFCASS Inspectorate in MCSI Contributes (through courts, judiciary, magistracy (legal practitioners and other stakeholders)
Marriage and Relationship Support (MARS) Lead, (through delivery of grant programme) Contributes (informed by civil partnerships and cohabitation responsibilities)