4. What discussions has the Minister had regarding legislation that would ensure that children would be protected in the same way as adults from physical attacks? OAQ(5)0035(CC)[W]

I thank the Member for his question. The First Minister has announced our intention to take forward, on a cross-party basis, legislation that will remove the defence of reasonable punishment. I have recently met with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales and will be engaging with stakeholders, including Assembly Members, as this matter goes forward.

I thank the Minister for his response. I’m pleased to hear that there has been some progress since we last questioned him on this issue before the summer, and specifically that he has met the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. I’m sure that he will have received the full support of the commissioner to that objective. Can he now explain how the Government intends to bring some sort of provision through this Assembly, particularly bearing in mind that we need to give Members of all parties the opportunity to, hopefully, support such a measure, and to get wider support for this equality of protection for young people and children?

I thank the Member for his comments. I intend to start negotiations with all parties to see how we can find a collective way forward through this. My initial starting point is to provide a positive parenting programme, where we see a holistic view for families, and support for young people, in terms of a better offer for Wales, and alongside that we will include the legislation that the Member talked about.

I think many parents think that the defence of reasonable punishment has already been abolished, but would the Minister agree that in preparation for the forthcoming legislation, it’s very important to communicate with parents and with families, and can he tell us how he’s going to do that?

I thank the Member for her question. To co-ordinate this crucial work in Government, we’ve established a dedicated parenting team, which will drive forward this agenda. My officials have already started the process of engagement with parents and other stakeholders to inform the development of this legislation. I wish to be inclusive in this process and I’m sure the Member will have lots to add.

Cabinet Secretary, you’ll be supported if you bring forward legislation in this area from this Conservative anyway. [Interruption.] Well, I do recall in previous Assemblies that I was joined by a number of colleagues on these benches in saying it’s time to move on and end this practice. I have to say that I don’t completely agree with the wording of this question, because, clearly, children would be protected in current law from physical attack. We are talking about what previous generations called ‘reasonable chastisement’. But I agree with Julie Morgan, it’s all about supporting parents, and that’s not only just education, but ensuring our public services are there, so that we have effective childcare, for instance, and other areas of support, so that parents don’t feel under great pressure, which sometimes can lead to frustration and a lack of control. So, it’s a whole package. But it is now high time that we passed a law in this area.

I thank the Member for his support. I did a little rough estimate of Members who may be supportive of the legislation, as we move forward, and I think that we’re on the right side of that at the moment. I hope that we can continue that dialogue.

The Member is right about the protection of young people. There is a raft of legislation already in place, but it’s not yet complete and we have to make sure that we provide the opportunity of positive parenting and that’s why I don’t think we should look to criminalise parents, but we should look to support parents, and this is something that I’ll be seeking to do as we move forward.