§ 3. Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to introduce legislation to change the law in respect of adoption and custody of children.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Government will reach conclusions on this matter when they have completed their study of the report of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children.
§ Mr. FraserDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the High Court case re "O"—a minor—earlier this week has highlighted the need for legislation? Have the Government not had an interim report, and the more recent report? There may be thousands of children at risk and there is an urgent need for legislation on this subject.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe case re "O"—a minor—is not immediately at the front of my mind at the moment. I will certainly consider it. I am sorry that I was 1646 not aware of it. The hon. Gentleman will realise that the report, which is a major one, was published only in October of this year. The Government have been asked to allow time for professional bodies to study and comment on it before coming to any conclusion on legislation. That is what we would wish to do. It is a major and complex report.