§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he plans to ratify the Hague Convention on adoption; [25805]
(2) what funds have been made available to agencies specialising in intercountry adoption in line with the Hague Convention. [25813]
§ Mr. BoatengNo funds have been made available by the Department of Health to voluntary adoption societies to provide intercountry adoption services.
The 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of intercountry Adoption will be ratified as soon as the necessary legislation is enacted and implemented.
The approval of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State will be recommended for societies who meet the standards and criteria set out by the Department and which encompass the principles underpinning the 1993 Hague Convention on intercountry adoption.