Following the second reading of the Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill in the Commons last week, both the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and ChildLine said the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland should follow the lead of Wales and appoint their own commissioners.
But the NSPCC voiced concern that the Bill said the commissioner would not be able to comment on decisions by courts and tribunals involving children, and might also restrict the commissioner's ability to review and investigate child deaths.
NSPCC chief executive Mary Marsh said, 'We warmly welcomes the establishment of a Children's Commissioner for Wales. However, we are concerned that the Bill, as it stands, gags the commissioner in a number of areas where his expertise could be very valuable. The Government could strengthen the legislation now to ensure that children have a real champion. Child abuse does not stop at the border between Wales and England. Similar posts must be created in the rest of the UK, with wide-ranging powers to investigate, report and act.'
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