BBC'S TAKING CARE SEASON

Early day motion 563, tabled 4 February 2004 by Tim Loughton (Conservative). Signed by 69 members.

That this House welcomes the BBC's Taking Care season due to be launched across the BBC network from 16th February, exploring the lives of children and young people in care; congratulates the producers for raising the difficulties and challenges faced by children brought up in care through a powerful, imaginative and high profile series of documentaries and dramas as well as features in regular soap operas; hopes that the initiative will help to inform the public at large about the experiences and contributions of children who have been brought up in the care system and further break down the misconceptions and stigma attached to such children; and urges people to respond positively to the campaign which accompanies the series to recruit volunteer mentors to provide support and help change the lives of these children for the better, as well as to come forward to help address the current shortage of foster carers.

Signatures by party: Conservative 37, Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 3, DUP 2, UUP 2, Independent Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.