Children and Adoption Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 82:"Page 7, line 6, at end insert—" ““(   )   In considering whether to make an enforcement order the welfare of the child concerned is to be the court’s paramount consideration.”” The noble Baroness said: When we discussed the content of this amendment with the Minister in a meeting that he was kind enough to give us, for which we are grateful, he pointed out that we did not need it because the welfare of the child was paramount in the Bill. However, we tabled the amendment anyway because we would like the Government to explain to us how they are going to ensure that any enforcement order does not simply enforce the contact but does it in a way that is not contrary to the welfare of the child. We have in mind situations in which the child will be deprived of contact with its parent because of obligations placed on the parent by the child—or the family’s income will be adversely affected, or something of that nature. I am sure that the Government have thought of that, but I hope that the Minister will take this opportunity to explain to the Committee how they will ensure that no enforcement is carried out that adversely affects the child and its contact and relationship with the parent. I beg to move.