§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to amend the law in respect of contact between adults after adoption to enable the birth parent to have information identifying the adoptee once the adoptee is aged over 25 years; and if he will make a statement. [2720]
§ Mr. BurnsThe Adoption Act 1976 as amended by the Children Act 1989 introduced the Adoption Contact Register. The Adoption Contact Register, which is 41W operated by the Registrar General, enables adopted people, their birth parents and other relatives to be put in touch with each other when that is the wish of the parties concerned. The register is open to people who are at least 18 years of age. Proposals contained in the draft Adoption Bill make no changes to these arrangements.