Mr. T. MORRISasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the ignorance which still prevails regarding the legal adoption of children and of the increasing number of cases in which persons who, at their own expense, have brought up deserted children are subsequently deprived of their control owing to the fact that they have not ensured the adoption of the children by legal means, he will take steps to ensure that persons intending to adopt children are made aware of the law?
§ Sir J. SIMONDuring the three years, 1828, 1929 and 1930 (the latest years for which I have information), no less than 11,586 applications were made to the courts for adoption orders. These numbers do not seem to me to suggest that the facilities for legal adoption provided by the Adoption of Children Act, 1926, are not well known. If my hon. Friend has any information which tends to disprove this assumption and will send it to me, I will consider it.