Children Bill

Book excerpt: The Committee's report examines the Children Bill as introduced into the Commons in July 2004 (HCB 144, ISBN 0215704479), following Lords amendments. In particular, the report focuses on the parts of the Bill relating to: the creation of the post of Children's Commissioner for England; strengthening the legal framework of co-operation between agencies delivering children's services; as well as clause 49 of the Bill on the corporal punishment of children and the restriction of the defence of 'reasonable chastisement', in light of the UK's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights. Conclusions reached include i) support for the creation of an independent rights-based office of Children's Commissioner; and ii) that the continuing availability of the defence of reasonable chastisement is incompatible with the UK's obligations under the UN Convention and other international agreements.