12
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1983
MORE COURT POWER ON CHILD CUSTODY PROPOSED
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UNDER PROPOSED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED TODAY, THE COURT WILL BE ABLE TO AWARD CUSTODY OF A CHILD TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, INSTEAD OF EITHER OF ITS PARENTS INVOLVED IN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS, IF IT THINKS THIS IS BETTER FOR THE CHILD'S WELFARE.
THIS WILL HOWEVER HAVE TO BE IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOLLOWS THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD IS THE FIRST AND PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION IN ANY MATTER RELATING TO ITS CUSTODY OR UPBRINGING.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSAL, IN THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, HAS BEEN FOUND NECESSARY FROM EXPERIENCE, AND THAT SIMILAR PROVISIONS EXIST IN UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION.
IF SUCH A CUSTODY CARE ORDER IS GIVEN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL LOOK AFTER AND PROVIDE FOR THE CHILD ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, ALTHOUGH HE WILL NOT BE VESTED WITH PARENTAL RIGHTS OF LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP.
IF SUBSEQUENTLY IT IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE FOR HIM TO SEEK LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP, HE WILL HAVE TO APPLY TO THE JUVENILE COURT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO MAINTAIN CONTACT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND ITS PARENTS, WITH A VIEW TO RETURNING THE CHILD TO THE CARE OF ONE OF THEM AS SOON AS IT IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS TO DO SO.
THE BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO FAIL TO INFORM THE DIRECTOR OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS, HE SAID.
TO AVOID DOUBT, THE BILL ALSO REITERATES THAT THE FIRST AND PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION OF THE COURT 13 THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD. IT MUST GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO THE CHILD'S WISHES IF THIS IS PRACTICAL AND CONSIDER ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
SOK KWU WAN RESIDENTS ASSURED OF FERRIES
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS REASSURED RESIDENTS OF SOK KWU WAN ON LAMMA ISLAND THAT THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT OF THE HYF SERVICE TO CENTRAL BEING WITHDRAWN.
A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (JANUARY 21) THAT DISCUSSIONS HAD ALREADY STARTED WITH SMALL FERRY OPERATORS TO TAKE OVER THE ROUTE, OR TO PROVIDE A SHORTER LINK TO CONNECT WITH BUS SERVICES AT ABERDEEN.
/+THE DEPARTMENT