PROTECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE VULNERABLE FROM FORCED MARRIAGE

Early day motion 213, tabled 4 December 2003 by Ann Cryer (Labour). Signed by 63 members.

That this House recalls the findings of the Working Group on Forced Marriages in, A Choice by Right, published in 2000; acknowledges the importance of the work of the Community Liaison Unit in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in delivering those findings and supporting victims of forced marriage; supports the publication in 2002 of guidelines, led by the Foreign Office and supported by the Home Office and ACPO, to police in cases of forced marriage; further supports the launching of similar guidelines in 2002 for social services; recognises that forced marriage and the fear of forced marriage may have a serious impact on children and vulnerable people; recalls the, Working Together to Safeguard Children, document published in 1999; and therefore calls upon the Department for Education and Skills and Department of Health to liaise with the Community Liaison Unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to produce and publish guidelines for local education authorities, teaching staff and health professionals to assist in the handling of cases involving forced marriage.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.