GRANDPARENTS' RIGHTS

Early day motion 16, tabled 3 December 2008 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 43 members.

That this House believes that a child's right to family life requires greater legislative protection; further believes that there should be an expectation that ancestors and close biological relatives become parties to Family Court cases on request; further believes there should be financial support for kinship carers; further believes that biological relatives including fathers without parental responsibility, grandparents, aunts and uncles should be automatically notified of care and adoption proceedings; and calls upon the Government to respond positively to the proposals from charities announced on 17 March 2008 in the document Grandparents' Rights - A Response to the Government.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 11, Conservative 7, DUP 3, Independent 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.