Member

On the changing Government position on clause 3 on parental responsibility, witnesses and others in Committee made it clear that the initial proposal fell far short of what was required, so we welcome Government amendment 10 widening the duty on the Crown court to make an order restricting parental responsibility where a person is sentenced to four years or more for a serious sexual offence against a child—in relation to all children rather than just a child of their own. Several Members have worked towards this amendment, but I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden and Solihull East (Saqib Bhatti), along with the previous Justice Secretary the right hon. Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) and—I do not expect they are still in the Gallery—the constituents of my hon. Friend who raised this case in such a high-profile way.