Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the proportion of family court cases where discouraged access to the child was reported by one of the parents.

Incidences of alleged or apparent parental alienation by either parent in relation to family proceedings about child arrangements are not recorded centrally and such information could only be obtained from individual case files at disproportionate cost.

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is continuing to develop its work in addressing parental alienation when it arises in such cases. Its Child Impact Assessment Framework (CIAF) includes various tools and guidance that further support social work practitioners in identifying how individual children are experiencing parental separation, including any alienating behaviour by one parent against the other. Further information about the Framework is available on the Cafcass website at www.Cafcass.gov.uk.