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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ban on smacking children in Wales put to the vote | Ban on smacking children in Wales put to the vote |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The assembly will vote later on whether to ban smacking children in Wales. | The assembly will vote later on whether to ban smacking children in Wales. |
| Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan wants the measure added to the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill which AMs are now debating in the Senedd. | |
| Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has said it was the "wrong vehicle" to introduce such a law. | Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has said it was the "wrong vehicle" to introduce such a law. |
| The Welsh government has ruled out any change to the law on smacking children before next year's assembly elections. | The Welsh government has ruled out any change to the law on smacking children before next year's assembly elections. |
| In October 2011, assembly members voted in principle to remove the defence of "reasonable chastisement" although they did not have the power at that time to impose a ban on smacking. | In October 2011, assembly members voted in principle to remove the defence of "reasonable chastisement" although they did not have the power at that time to impose a ban on smacking. |
| 'Conscience issue' | |
| Ms Morgan, a backbench Labour member, has called on her party to allow a free vote on her amendment in the assembly on Tuesday. | Ms Morgan, a backbench Labour member, has called on her party to allow a free vote on her amendment in the assembly on Tuesday. |
| She said many people, including herself, saw it as a "conscience issue". | She said many people, including herself, saw it as a "conscience issue". |
| "It it is something that the assembly could do and could be proud of doing and that would make a big difference to children in Wales," she added. | "It it is something that the assembly could do and could be proud of doing and that would make a big difference to children in Wales," she added. |
| AMs were debating and voting on several amendments to the bill on Tuesday. | |
| A move to make schools to offer lessons on healthy relationships was narrowly rejected. | |
| The Welsh government said that, depending on progress with the amendments, the final vote on the bill could take place next week. |