§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will withdraw and amend their guidance document Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced in the light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment in R v Cannings. [HL1013]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)We have no plans to amend or withdraw the guidance. However, I would refer the noble Earl to the statement made by the Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Margaret Hodge, to the House on Monday 23 February, in which she set out the action that I have asked local authorities with social services responsibilities to take following the Appeal Court's judgment in the appeal against the conviction of Angela Cannings.