Part of Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:15 am on 13 July 2006.
Annette Brooke
Shadow Spokesperson (Children, Schools and Families), Shadow Minister (Education), Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
9:15,
13 July 2006
I thank the Minister for his comforting words. At this stage I shall be happy not to press the amendments. However, although I did not refer specifically to Amendment No. 107, I do think that, if we consider the matter important, it needs to have some legal force. For example, in children’s legislation, we had to clearly make a person responsible within a local authority. In this area, we have seen so much buck-passing over the years that, if we consider it to be of importance, we must be clear that there is a designated person who has responsibility.
Amendment No. 107 follows if we accept the logic of amendment No. 106 that we cannot leave direct payments out of the whole scheme. We must bring them in, as the Minister says, in such a way that they are not a burden and do not upset long-standing arrangements, but give the necessary protection. I may revisit the matter, but given the Minister’s comments, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
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