Clause 8 - Commencement, short title and extent
Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Plaid Cymru)
I too am unhappy with the term ``Children's Commissioner'' and agree with what has been said. It is important to consider changing the name; that would not extend the remit, nor would it impose further duties or obligations on the office of commissioner.
Hon. Members who have referred to their teenage sons or daughters as ``children'' know that that is a cardinal and unforgivable sin. I am reminded of the redoubtable actress Kathleen Turner, who was over here a few months ago acting in ``The Graduate''. I did see it, but I will not go into that now. [HON. MEMBERS: ``All of it?''] Yes—but no doubt I would be straying if I were to go further down that road. Suffice it to say that she is a redoubtable actress—and a tough character, they say. She was interviewed on a chat show and someone asked the innocuous question, ``Miss Turner, does anyone ever call you Kath?'' The answer was, ``Only the once.'' Similarly, calling teenage young people children is not sensible.
It is entirely appropriate to look at the commissioner's title. To change it would not extend the remit; that already extends to further and higher education. People at university, at the age of 20 or 21, are by no means children.
We need to ensure that children and young people are comfortable with the commissioner and his role. People over 16 or 17 would feel unsure and unhappy about going to his department if he were known as the Children's Commissioner for Wales. This is not a back-door way of extending his remit, but a highly desirable and appropriate change of name.