Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

The clause, and schedule 23, enable the court to make a parenting order at the same time as it makes a referral order. Hon. Members will know that a parenting order can be made at the same time as a reparation order, an action plan order, an attendance centre order or a supervision order. That has been, typically, when they have been made. However, it has not been possible hitherto to make a parenting order at the same time as a referral order. That is an unnecessary omission and it should be remedied, which is what the clause and the schedule do.

My colleagues and I have, on many occasions, made known our objections to parenting orders. We do not believe that they are the right way to deal with persistent truancy—it is a classic case of dealing with the crime and not the cause of crime, by dealing with the parents but not with the causes of the truanting. I accept that there are arguments on both sides—they have been widely rehearsed in the media. We remain to be convinced that the effects of an overcrowded curriculum, of non-engagement with individual pupils and of all the difficulties that we know cause truanting are properly addressed by jailing parents. I do not want to pursue the matter too far, because it is not directly relevant to the provisions of the Bill—the arguments can be made elsewhere—but if the point can be made again, we wish to put it on record that more purposeful and constructive interventions can be made in the case of truanting children. This approach, which typifies that of the Government generally, fails to address the issue.

I readily acknowledge that there is no magic wand to deal with such situations. However, we would all agree that inadequate parental supervision is strongly associated with offending. A recent evaluation of the Youth Justice Board parenting programmes has found early evidence that the parenting order has had an impact on both the parents and the children on the courses. It is still early days, and many parents, although they object strongly when the order is made, realise that they benefit from it. I accept the thrust of the point that there is no single solution, but I urge the hon. Gentleman to accept the clause, which allows parenting orders to be made when referral orders are made, rather than excluding that possibility.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 261 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule 23 agreed to.

Further consideration adjourned.—[Mr. Heppell.]

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-six minutes to Five o'clock till Tuesday 25 February at ten minutes past Nine o'clock.