Independent Safeguarding Authority

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Children, Schools and Families – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 12 October 2009.

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Photo of Edward Balls Edward Balls Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 2:30, 12 October 2009

I am very sorry indeed that the hon. Gentleman, who is normally a wise counsel, has used such intemperate and ill-informed language on this issue. The fact is that the person who made the recommendations on the Soham case is entirely behind the changes that we are making. The definition of "frequent or intensive" is difficult, and we need to make sure that we are clear in the way in which we apply it. There has been much misinformation on this issue, suggesting that a parent taking their children to school for a neighbour, or someone helping out once in a while in school is required to register. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman looks at the facts and the reality, and not the nonsense in some briefing papers, before he asks questions in the House.