CYP Now - Letters: Bill's success was a group effort

Having put a lot of hard work into the Children Bill over recent months, I was disappointed that your account of the committee proceedings in your 27 October issue read as if Hilton Dawson and children's minister Margaret Hodge were the only ones present. In fact, the majority of substantive amendments came from Conservative members.

We led the criticism of government attempts to emasculate the independent powers of the children's commissioner.

We have sought to include education, health and other professionals in the arrangements to promote the welfare of children.

We tabled amendments to include the "wishes and feelings" of children to be added to this Bill. Conservatives have also supported a registration scheme for private fostering.

The success of this Bill is down to the joint efforts of many children's organisations, politicians of all parties and other campaigners.

Tim Loughton MP, shadow children's minister

We welcome your views. Please write, including address and phone number, to: The editor, Children Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, or email cn.editorial@haynet.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

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