Clause 96 - Appeals

Part of Adoption and Children Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 4:30 pm ar 4 Rhagfyr 2001.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Tim Loughton Tim Loughton Shadow Spokesperson (Health) 4:30, 4 Rhagfyr 2001

I, too, welcome you back to our deliberations, Mr. Stevenson. You missed some interesting discussions this morning, and we appear to be making swifter progress.

I feel rather guilty because I accused the Minister of being slightly disappointing in her earlier responses, and she obviously took it to heart. After the benefits of reflection and a good lunch, she has returned and responded obligingly, seriously addressing several of our points. The point about dealing with civil courts was a fair one. Proceedings went well before lunch, despite the utterance—twice—of ''anonymised'', which I refuse to accept is a word in the English language, although I understand the drift. Before lunch, the Minister said that there was ''room for improvement'' in drafting of the clause. A few sentences ago, that was upgraded to ''certainly room for improvement'', and she has now offered to take away the amendments and study them, presumably with a view to tabling new ones that will make clause 96 clearer and closer to the best interests of the child. With great pleasure, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 96 ordered to stand part of the Bill.