Member

On Amendment 470 and the child rights impact assessment, I speak as somebody who is the victim of many impact assessments because I have the privilege of being a member of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. We look at a whole flotilla of secondary instruments in various stages of health or distress. Something that we always look for in a well-drafted and considered statutory instrument—some of which are very important—is a carefully thought-through Explanatory Memorandum and, in particular, an impact assessment which is quantitative as well as qualitative, and has real weight and substance. All I can say to noble Lords is that, if they read our reports that draw statutory instruments to the attention of the House, a very frequent issue that we raise is the lack of an effective impact assessment. I am horrified to say that, on some occasions, departments of state do not prepare any impact assessment whatever and, when pressed, manage to wriggle out of it and say that it really is not needed. That is unacceptable, but particularly so when it comes to issues involving children. It is fundamental that we embed into our consideration of any legislation or secondary legislation that affects children a considered and thoughtful template to systematically look at the rights of the child.