Mr. T. Morrisasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to enable adopted children to have certificates similar to ordinary birth certificates which, in the interests of the children, would avoid disclosure of the fact of adoption or natural birth which the foster-parents have always concealed?
§ Sir S. HoareI have been asked to reply. The provisions on the subject in the Adoption of Children Act, 1926, seem to go as far as is practicable in the way of enabling an adopted person to prove his date of birth without disclosing his parentage, and I am afraid there would be objections both in principle and in practice to amending legislation such as would be necessary to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. Goldieasked the Home Secretary whether he has now considered the report of the departmental committee on Child Adoption Societies; and whether he is prepared to take action with regard to the recommendations therein contained?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 4th February to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson).