To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many cases were awaiting allocation in public law on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many children were involved in such cases; [307476]

Nationally, as of 11 January 2010, CAFCASS had 688 unallocated public law cases, involving 1,161 children. As of the same date, CAFCASS London had 27 unallocated public law cases, involving 44 children. All of these cases have been reviewed, prioritised and screened for risk and this is a continuous process until substantive allocation takes place. This Department has asked CAFCASS to take urgent action to tackle the unallocated cases and has made available additional resources for London of up to £1.6 million in this financial year to do so.