PROTECTING RUNAWAY CHILDREN

Early day motion 393, tabled 22 June 2005 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 351 members.

That this House warmly welcomes the Children's Society's Safe and Sound campaign to make England safe for the 100,000 children who run away from home or care each year; is alarmed at the Society's findings that almost half of all children who have run away for over a week are physically or sexually hurt; calls on all local authorities to put into place the safeguards recommended by the Department of Health to protect young runaways; and further calls on the Government to undertake an early evaluation of the six pilot schemes for flexible community-based accommodation for young runaways across England which have now completed their first year, in order that the lessons can be incorporated in the swift establishment of a national network of safe places for children and young people.

Signatures by party: Labour 148, Conservative 136, Liberal Democrat 54, DUP 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.