HC Deb 05 December 1989 vol 163 cc177-8W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been allowed into the United Kingdom, for adoption by United Kingdom citizens, from each of the countries which do not have the same laws and procedures on adoption as exist in the United Kingdom, during each of the past five years; and what is the average length of time it takes for inquiries to be carried out into prospective adoptive children from such countries.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Information is not available in the form requested, as the statistics collected on passenger admissions do not separately identify children who come to the United Kingdom for adoption. However, the available information is shown in the table. Corresponding information for 1984 and 1985 could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Adoption orders made by the courts in certain designated countries are recognised as valid for the purposes of United Kingdom law. Some 63 countries are designated for this purpose under the Adoption (Designation of Overseas Adoptions) Order 1973. There is no provision in the immigration rules for the admission of children adopted in non-designated countries. However the Secretary of State may exceptionally exercise discretion to allow a child to come here for adoption if he is satisfied that this is appropriate in the particular case.

Information on the average length of time required for inquiries to be carried out into prospective adoption cases is not available; the time varies according to the circumstances of the particular case.

Acceptances for settlement in the United Kingdom on grounds of adoption, after initial admission for a limited period, of children from countries not designated in the Adoption (Designation of Overseas Adoptions) Order 19731
Number of children of each nationality
Nationality 1986 19872 1988
India 7 7 8
Pakistan 5 7 8
Brazil 7 1 0
E1 Salvador 4 1 3
Colombia 5 1 1
Philippines 4 2 1
Thailand 3 2 1
Peru 2 1 1
Korea 1 2 0
Poland 0 1 2
Bolivia 1 1 1
Sierra Leone 0 0 2
Sudan 0 2 0
Burma, Hungary3 0 0 1
Chile, Egypt, Morocco, Paraguay, Venezuela3 0 1 0
Ecuador 1 0 1
Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Panama, Yemen Arab Republic3 1 0 0
Total 46 33 37
1 This order designates those countries whose adoption orders are recognised as valid for the purposes of United Kingdom law.
2 1987 figures may not be entirely complete.
3 Number from each country in these year(s)

Forward to