HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 cc1640-1
22. Mr. Peter Archer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to appoint a date for the coming into force of the Adoption Act, 1968.

Mr. Carlisle

My right hon. Friend hopes by early summer to lay a first order under Section 4 of the Act which will recognise adoption orders made by a considerable number of overseas countries; and to appoint a date under Section 14(2) bringing the relevant provisions of the Act into force.

The rest of the Act relates to an international convention which is not yet in force.

Mr. Archer

While that answer is welcome so far as it goes, may we be told what the difficulty is? Apart from the international obligation, is this not an uncontroversial and rather useful Measure?

Mr. Carlisle

Concerning Section 4, which will recognise adoption orders of other countries, I should have thought that it was a most useful Measure, and we are proposing to lay an Order under it shortly.