To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to review guidance and secondary legislation in relation to the operation of section 8 of the Children Act 1989 in respect of the requirement for grandparents to seek leave to apply for a contact order from the family court for access to their grandchildren; and if he will make a statement. (76248)

[holding answer 12 June 2006]: During the House of Commons Third Reading of the Children and Adoption Bill on 20 June 2006, the Government undertook to review the current requirement, as it applies to grandparents without parental responsibility, that the leave of the court must be sought before they may apply for a contact order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. The review will consider if there is evidence that, where grandparents are denied contact with their grandchildren, they are unable to seek redress through the courts. I expect to publish the findings of the review by the end of 2006.