HL Deb 15 March 1977 vol 380 cc1449-50

2.49 p.m.

Lord TEVIOT

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state how many adopted persons have sought to obtain their original birth certificates under Section 26 of the Children Act 1975 since November 1st last.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, since 26th November last, when Section 26 of the Children Act 1975 came into operation, 3,039 adopted persons have applied for access to their birth records.

Lord TEVIOT

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord very much for that figure and, also bearing in mind that this is a most intimate matter, may I ask whether he would consider measures for protecting the natural parents from being contacted unwillingly, except through a third party?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, in the first place, this scheme under the Children Act 1975 has been in operation only since the end of November. May I say with great respect that it is too early to reach any conclusions. I would point out to the noble Lord that so far no complaints have been received from any mothers who may have been traced as a result of the new provision.

Lord TEVIOT

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware, from the figures he may have received, that one or two cases have been noted in the Press? While it may be too early to reach any conclusions, the time given, which is three years, is perhaps too long.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, the noble Lord says that one or two cases have been reported in the Press To the best of my knowledge, only one case has been reported in the Press. I think that the noble Lord and I are speaking about the same case, because a few days ago we had a discussion about it. My understanding is that there is no direct link between that case and the Children Act. In fact, the son succeeded in tracing his mother long before these provisions came into effect, and he must have been able to do it through a source that had nothing what-ever to do with the provisions of the Children Act.