Children and Families Bill

Lord Haskel Excerpts

Monday 9th December 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hughes of Stretford]

My Lords, I ask for guidance as to whether we can now speak on Amendment 12, which the business paper incorrectly describes as “g12”—a government amendment. I think it is confusing people.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Haskel) (Lab)]

There is an error on the paper. The government amendment is number 11 and the amendment of the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, is number 12. The two are grouped together, so the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, may speak to her amendment.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss]

My Lords, I was completely confused. There was a moment when I thought I was getting out of control because I know this is not so far a government amendment.

I start by expressing my own gratitude to the Government for the way they have approached care leaders, from the Secretary of State downwards to the Ministers standing over there and sitting here. We on our side are enormously grateful for the fact that the plight of care leavers has been recognised and, I cannot resist adding, the particular plight of the trafficked children who at the age of 18 were possibly going to be in a very parlous state.