§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are currently in the care of local authorities and registered child welfare organisations; how many of these it is considered desirable for adoption; and, on the basis of previous years' experience, how many it is expected will be adopted.
§ Miss BaconAt the end of March 1964, the number of children in the care of local authorities was 66,281. The number of children who in each year go out of the care of local authorities because they are adopted is about 2½ per cent. of the number in care. The number of children in the care of voluntary organisations at the end of March 1964 was 12,904 (excluding children in the care of local authorities who were being looked after by those organisations). I regret that the other information asked for in the Question is not available.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the figures for the past three years for the number of children in care considered desirable for adoption, the number of applications received from prospective adoptive parents, the number of children who have been adopted, and the number of those still awaiting adoption.
§ Miss BaconThe number of children in the care of local authorities who went out of care because they were adopted was as follows:
Year ending 31st March 1962 1,502 1963 1,643 1964 1,660 I regret that the other information asked for in the Question is not available.