FAMILY COURTS (No. 2)

Early day motion 1931, tabled 17 July 2007 by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 26 members.

That this House notes the growing concerns over miscarriages of justice in family courts in cases where children have been removed from families and adopted; believes that financial payments to social services authorities to meet adoption targets introduce an unacceptable, perverse incentive in complex cases; further notes that cases are heard and decided in secret without any public scrutiny; notes that the Government brought forward proposals last year to open up family courts; regrets that the Government has announced that it will not now proceed with these proposals; and calls for a public inquiry to examine the system in its entirety and to make recommendations for reform so as to secure the best interests of children and justice for innocent parents.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 16, Labour 6, Conservative 4.