§ LORD DAVIESMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing on the Paper in my name.
[The question was as follows:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of recent disclosures regarding the traffic in adopted infants, they will consider putting into early operation such provisions of the Adoption of Children (Regulation) Act, 1939, as are necessary to bring to an end the abuses which have row arisen.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, the question whether it would be right to bring this Act into operation at an early date is still under consideration. Its operation was originally deferred by the Postponement of Enactments Act, 1939, as the outbreak of war imposed a large number of new duties on local authorities as well as on Government Departments, and it was not felt right to divert time and attention to the measures required for operating the protective pro- 714 visions of the Act. It has, however, been suggested that there are new circumstances calling for reconsideration of the decision taken by Parliament in 1939, and efforts have been made to obtain such information as is available. This information has, however, to be reviewed in the light of the present urgent need for economizing man-power, even if this means postponing certain activities which are desirable in themselves. The Government hope that it may be possible for them to announce their decision on the matter at an early date.