Childcare Bill

I do not think that the Minister has justified her amendment. We know that the children who are most likely to be casualties are those in care. We know that the children in care who are most likely to be casualties are those in secure institutions. The Minister is shaking her head. Does she want to tell me that I am wrong? If not, I shall work on the basis that she agrees with me. It is the children of the state who have the most awkward lives and are likely to face the worst constellation of difficulties as they grow up. If the local authority has no responsibility for the welfare of the child in the circumstances that the Minister described, who will carry out that duty effectively? My hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) and I have experience of children who are parked in our town, in small children’s homes. Many of them get dedicated care, and many of their experiences are not good. [Interruption.] I will give way, if the Minister wants to intervene. We are debating an amendment tabled by the Government, who believe that they have wrongly drafted legislation. At present, local authority social services can have some interest in a child in secure accommodation.