Welsh Children’s Commissioner’s powers to stay limited

The Government has refused calls to extend the powers of the
Welsh Children’s Commissioner Peter Clarke to include all
issues concerning child welfare.

MPs on the Welsh Affairs Committee recommended extending Mr
Clarke’s role, echoing similar calls from Welsh Assembly
Members and children’s charities.

The call was prompted by the Children’s Bill and the creation of
an England Commissioner with responsibility for some child welfare
issues in Wales.

However the Government response insists that it is “…entirely
logical that one commissioner should report on non-devolved issues
to the UK Parliament in Westminster.”