New Clause 19
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill
4:45 pm
Paul Rowen (Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions; Rochdale, Liberal Democrat)
I have listened to what the Minister has said, but I cannot agree with him. He has not explained how allowing the parent with care to make written or oral representations at a hearing that is already scheduled could delay the decision by the court or the tribunal. As he has correctly stated, the parent with care already has the right to attend, but like someone present at their own funeral, they cannot say anything. In this case, the parent with care should be allowed to say something or to put in a written application. I cannot understand how that would delay the proceedings; it should merely ensure that the court or the tribunal has all the information in front of it before making its decision.
My second point related to whether someone could initiate an action themselves. That is likely to occur in only a small number of cases, but it is nevertheless important that people should have the right to initiate such an action. I would therefore like to press the motion to a vote.