§ Mr. WallaceI beg to move amendment No. 108, in page 66, line 37, leave out 'and'.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Morris)With this it will be convenient to consider the following: Government amendment No. 189.
Amendment No. 109, in page 66, line 41, at end insert 'and;
(c) shall have regard so far as practicable to the child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.'.
§ Mr. WallaceAmendment No. 109 would require a court or an adoption agency to have regard, as far as practicable, to a child's religious persuasion, racial origin, cultural or linguistic background. Government 138 amendment No. 189 not only includes that but refers to the child's views, and I am sure it is a much superior amendment. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendment made: No. 189, in page 66, line 38, leave out from 'practicable' to end of line 41 and insert—
- '—(i) to his views (if he wishes to express them) taking account of his age and maturity; and
- (ii) to his religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.'.—[Lord James Douglas-Hamilton.]