Children Bill

Current Status

The Children Bill completed its final stages through the House of Commons on 2 November, when David Hinchliffe's amendment to criminalise smacking was defeated by 424 to 75, and Andrew Turner's amendment to keep the law as it is was defeated by 284 to 208.

This leaves us with the legal uncertainty of Lord Lester's amendment and the government's commitment to review its impact after two years.

The meaning of the new law, which will come into effect early in 2005, is far from clear. To some extent its impact will depend on the changes that are being made to the charging standards by the Director of Public Prosecutions. But even after he has issued his guidance, a considerable degree of legal uncertainty is likely to remain.

Background

The text of the Children Bill as amended in Standing Committee B on 21st October 2004

The text of the Children Bill as brought from the House of Lords on 19 July 2004

Explanatory notes

House of Commons Library Research Paper

Joint Committee on Human Rights Nineteenth Report of Session 2003-04, on the Children Bill

Parliamentary Debates

House of Commons

House of Commons, Third Reading, 2 November 2004 (debate on smacking)

Eighth Sitting of Standing Committee B - Thursday 21 October 2004 (Afternoon)

Seventh Sitting of Standing Committee B - Thursday 19 October 2004 (Morning)

Sixth Sitting of Standing Committee B - Tuesday 19 October 2004 (Afternoon)

Fifth Sitting of Standing Committee B - Tuesday 19 October 2004 (Morning)

Fourth Sitting of Standing Committee B - Thursday 14 October (Afternoon)

Third Sitting of Standing Committee B - Thursday 14 October (Morning)

Second Sitting of Standing Committee B - Tuesday 12 October (Afternoon)

First Sitting of Standing Committee B - Tuesday 12 October 2004 (Morning)

Membership of Standing Committee B which will meet to consider the Children Bill on 12, 14, 19 and 21 October

House of Commons, Second Reading, 13 September 2004

House of Lords

House of Lords, Third Reading, 15 July 2004

House of Lords, Report Stage, day four, 5 July 2004
Commencing with a three-hour debate on the reasonable chastisement defence and divisions

House of Lords, Report Stage, day three, 22 June 2004

House of Lords, Report Stage, day two, 21 June 2004

House of Lords, Report Stage, day one, 17 June 2004

House of Lords Committee Stage, fifth day, 27 May 2004

House of Lords Committee Stage, fourth day, 24 May 2004

House of Lords Committee Stage, third day, 20 May 2004

House of Lords Committee Stage, second day, 6 May 2004

House of Lords Committee Stage, first day, 4 May 2004

House of Lords, Second Reading, 30 March 2004

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