Commentary on Sections Section 3 – Reporting requirements
26.Section 3 of the Act places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to prepare, publish and lay before the National Assembly for Wales two reports on the effect of the abolition of the defence. The reports will reflect on first a three and then a five-year period, starting with the day on which the defence is abolished (as set out in section 5).
27.Each report is likely to examine, among other things, any impact on public services; levels of awareness of the change to the law made by section 1; and any changes in public attitudes towards the physical punishment of children.
28.The reports are likely to draw on monitoring and evaluation activities carried out by the Welsh Government; for example, surveys carried out to assess attitudes towards the legislation, and levels of public awareness of the legislation.