Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effects of Parental Alienation Syndrome on family breakdowns; and what plans he has to issue guidance or bring forward legislative proposals to deal with that syndrome and its effects.

The family courts consider the facts of each case with the welfare of the child as paramount. Parental Alienation Syndrome is not recognised as a 'syndrome' by many professionals in this country. The courts do, however, recognise that some resident parents are responsible for alienating their children from non-resident parents and can take this into account when considering their decisions.