§ LORD GARDINERasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, in view of the fact that their White Paper, The Reorganisation of Central Government stressed their belief in " the effective development of a new broadly-based service to deal with family needs" and stated that " the child care responsibilities of the Home Secretary will therefore be transferred to the Secretary of State for Social Services ", the Secretary of State for Home Affairs remains responsible for the state of the law of adoption.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMThe law, policy and procedure on the adoption of children are being considered by a Departmental Committee appointed by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland in July, 1969. The Government have thought it right, in the circumstances, to defer consideration of whether there should be any change in Ministerial responsibility until after the Departmental Committee has reported.
House adjourned at five minutes before seven o'clock.