To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will publish in full responses received to the Government's consultation on improving transparency and privacy in family courts; and what action he proposes to take as a result of the consultation. (150927)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government published the consultation ‘Confidence and confidentiality: Improving transparency and privacy in family courts’ on 11 July 2006. The consultation paper and the response paper (published on 22 March 2007) can be found at:

http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/courttransparencey1106/cp1106.htm.

Copies of the responses will be sent to the hon. Member shortly.

Having carefully considered the range of views expressed in the consultation, we concluded that a new approach was needed to improve confidence in the family courts. This would focus on information coming out of the courts rather than who could attend proceedings.

The Government published a further consultation paper on 20 June 2007, setting out what we intend to do and inviting views on a small number of additional proposals. This can be found at:

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp1007.htm.

Copies will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.