UK Parliament / Open data

Children and Adoption Bill [Lords]

Proceeding contribution from Ann Coffey (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 20 June 2006. It occurred during Debate on bills on Children and Adoption Bill [HL].
I do not disagree with the principle of a child’s welfare being met by contact with both parents. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that in new clause 4 his definition of a child’s welfare is prescriptive? For example, it reads that the presumption is"““that if his parents are not living together””," the child’s welfare is best served through residence with one of them. A child’s need for quality parenting from both parents could be met by residence for three days with one parent and four days with the other. I am suggesting to the hon. Gentleman that perhaps the new clause demonstrates the difficulty of trying to define in the Bill in a prescriptive way how a child’s welfare needs might be met. It is something that might be better met by a court’s decision.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

447 c1218 

Session

2005-06

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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