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MPs attempt to force smacking ban MPs' smacking ban attempt fails
(about 8 hours later)
A cross-party group of MPs is attempting to force through a ban on smacking children in England and Wales. A cross-party group of MPs has failed to force through a ban on smacking children in England and Wales.
Led by Labour's Kevin Barron, the campaigners oppose the current situation allowing parents to use the practice as a "reasonable punishment". Led by Labour's Kevin Barron, the campaigners opposed the current situation allowing parents to use the practice as a "reasonable punishment".
Some 28 MPs have signed an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill being debated later. Some 28 MPs signed an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill, but this was not discussed.
The government says it has tightened up protection for children but opposes making smacking a crime. The government said it had tightened up protection for children but opposed making smacking a crime.
But more than 100 Labour backbenchers are said to be demanding a free vote on a total smacking ban.
The current law allowing so-called 'reasonable punishment' of children is unjust, unsafe and unclear Kevin BarronChairman, Commons health select committeeThe current law allowing so-called 'reasonable punishment' of children is unjust, unsafe and unclear Kevin BarronChairman, Commons health select committee
Mr Barron, chairman of the Commons health select committee, said: "We must act now to end the legal approval of hitting children. Under a tightly drawn timetable, MPs had just four hours to debate the legislation, and that was taken up with discussion on long-term residential placements and fostering issues.
"It is the responsibility of Parliament to ensure that the physical integrity and human dignity of every person is respected. Mr Barron, chairman of the Commons health select committee, said: "It was always a long shot because the bill was not about the punishment of children; it was about the protection of children."
"The current law allowing so-called 'reasonable punishment' of children is unjust, unsafe and unclear, and must be abolished once and for all." He added: "The issue won't go away. This is something many of us feel concerned about."
The amendment, signed by 28 MPs, calls for children to have the same protection against assault as adults. The amendment, signed by 28 MPs, called for children to have the same protection against assault as adults.
Law tightenedLaw tightened
Campaigners said 111 Labour backbenchers had signed a private letter demanding a free vote on smacking, with some warning they were prepared to defy the whips if ministers did not back down.Campaigners said 111 Labour backbenchers had signed a private letter demanding a free vote on smacking, with some warning they were prepared to defy the whips if ministers did not back down.
But the government and opposition front benches say they want to focus on the main functions of the bill, which do not include dealing with corporal punishment. But the government and opposition front benches said they wanted to focus on the main functions of the bill, which do not include dealing with corporal punishment.
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said while it did not condone or encourage smacking, the government did not want to criminalise it. Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said the government was clear on the need to safeguard the interests of children but did not support an all-out ban on smacking.
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said, while it did not condone or encourage smacking, the government did not want to criminalise it.
She said: "If we put a ban on smacking into legislation it would mean in practice that a mother who gives her child a mild smack on the hand when they refuse to put back sweets picked up at the supermarket checkout could end up facing criminal charges."She said: "If we put a ban on smacking into legislation it would mean in practice that a mother who gives her child a mild smack on the hand when they refuse to put back sweets picked up at the supermarket checkout could end up facing criminal charges."
She added that a survey suggested fewer parents were smacking children and the law had already been tightened to give children greater protection from assault.She added that a survey suggested fewer parents were smacking children and the law had already been tightened to give children greater protection from assault.
The last attempt to impose a full ban on smacking was defeated in 2004, although 49 Labour MPs rebelled.The last attempt to impose a full ban on smacking was defeated in 2004, although 49 Labour MPs rebelled.
A compromise was agreed, tightening the law by outlawing punishment which left physical marks or caused mental harm.A compromise was agreed, tightening the law by outlawing punishment which left physical marks or caused mental harm.
Last December, Northern Ireland's children's commissioner failed in a High Court attempt to force the government to outlaw the physical punishment of young people.Last December, Northern Ireland's children's commissioner failed in a High Court attempt to force the government to outlaw the physical punishment of young people.