§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration he has given to expediting the work of local council social services departments when considering the adoption of children from overseas; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his policy on the acceptability for domestic adoption procedures by social services departments of home study reports prepared for overseas authorities by independent reputable social workers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDetailed guidance on intercountry adoption issued to directors of social services last autumn includes guidance on the assessment of prospective adopters by local authorities and on home study reports which have been commissioned privately. Reports by social workers are acceptable only if prepared by or on behalf of the prospective adopters' social services department. Copies of CI(90)17 to directors of social services in England, DSW 3/90 for Scotland and equivalent guidance for Wales are available in the Library.