Clause 3 - Annual report
Children Bill [Lords]
10:00 am
Mr Joe Benton (Bootle, Labour)
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
Amendment No. 95, in
clause 3, page 3, line 14, after 'must', insert
'as soon as is reasonably practicable.'.
Amendment No. 9, in
clause 3, page 3, line 15, leave out subsection (4).
Amendment No. 10, in
clause 3, page 3, line 17, at end insert—
'( ) The Secretary of State must respond formally to the Commissioner's report within 3 months of it having been published and lay his response before Parliament.'.
Clause stand part.
Government new clause 30—Annual reports
New clause 2—Requirement to review working of Part 1 of the Act—
'(1) The Children's Commissioner shall—
(a) keep under review the working of Part 1 of this Act and in doing so consult with children and representatives of organisations concerned with children's rights and interests;
(b) make reports on it to the Secretary of State in accordance with the following provisions of this section.
(2) The first report under this section shall be made as soon as practicable after the third anniversary of the coming into force of this Part.
(3) A subsequent report under this section shall be made at such time as the Children's Commissioner thinks fit, not being earlier than three years after the making of the last previous report.
(4) A report under this section—
(a) shall include the views of the Children's Commissioner on the adequacy and effectiveness of this Part; and
(b) may contain recommendations as to amendments to this Part which in the opinion of the Children's Commissioner are necessary desirable.
(5) The Secretary of State shall as soon as is reasonably practicable lay a copy of every report sent to him under this section before each House of Parliament.'.