§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many South Vietnamese children are still held in England pending release to Project Vietnam Orphans; when it is expected that they will be released and what has been the reason for the delay.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI take the hon. Member to be referring to children who were admitted as refugees from Vietnam and for whom adoption arrangements are being made by Project Vietnam Orphans. The project is a recognised adoption agency, but has no facilities for maintaining such a large group of children over a long period.
Adoption orders are a matter for the courts, which will require evidence of the children's freedom for adoption as well as welfare reports on them and on the homes which have been recommended by Project Vietnam Orphans. It is this process which is taking time, but the matter now falls within the sphere of responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that the Vietnamese orphan children at present being cared for in the United Kingdom will not be sent back to Vietnam under any circumstances.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Mr. Tinn) on 22nd May.—[Vol. 892, c.646–7.]