HC Deb 10 February 1977 vol 925 cc839-40W
Mr. Newton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many adopted persons there are in the United Kingdom who were adopted prior to the passing of the Children Act 1975.

Mr. Moyle

The number of adoption orders registered in England and Wales prior to the passing of the Children Act 1975 was 664,071. It is not known how many children are still in England and Wales. It is estimated that there are in England and Wales 354,400 adopted people aged over 18 entitled to apply for information under section 26 of the Act. I understand that in Scotland 67,356 adoption orders were registered before the passing of the Act. In Northern Ireland the number was approximately 12,800.

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