Plan to ban smacking children

Parents could be prosecuted for smacking their children, under plans expected to be announced by ministers today.

The proposals have been hurriedly brought forward in order to head off an embarrassing defeat in the House of Lords this week.

A cross-party alliance of more than 100 peers is threatening to defy the Government by backing an amendment to the Children's Bill which would outlaw all physical punishment.

The peers, who have the backing of many Labour MPs, say the present-law allowing parents to use "reasonable chastisement" is open to abuse. But their demand for a total ban has put them on a collision course with ministers who fear changing the law could see thousands of parents prosecuted for minor offences.

With the Government facing nearcertain defeat, ministers are expected to bring forward a compromise today which makes clear the legal distinction between battering and a small smack. It is hoped the measures would allow a virtual ban but would protect parents in cases where they clipped a child or gave some form of gentle reprimand.

One government official said: "We're not going to support anything which would stop people giving their child a quick smack on the legs." But the compromise might not be enough to stem a Labour rebellion. Backbenchers have warned they may still push for a total ban when the Bill returns to the Commons later this year.