To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the post of Children's Commissioner for England is compliant with the United Nations principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for protection and promotion of human rights (the Paris principles). [HL5087]

The role and functions of the Children's Commissioner for England were debated in Parliament at length during the passage of the Children Act 2004.

As set out in the Children Act 2004, the Children's Commissioner for England must have regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The commissioner attends meetings of the European Network of Ombudsmen for Children (ENOC), the association of independent children's rights institutions. ENOC's mandate is to facilitate the promotion and protection of the rights of children, as formulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Government's priority is to support the Children's Commissioner in making the most of his current powers. We have no plans to review these powers.