§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many clearance papers were issued for the admission to the United Kingdom of children adopted abroad, or in the process of adoption, for each of the last five years in total and by country of origin; and if he will make a statement concerning Romanian children in particular.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 12 February 1991]: The available information is that, since December 1989, 149 Romanian children have been granted entry clearance to come to the United Kingdom with a view to adoption by British couples. Fifteen applications have been refused or withdrawn and 42 applications are currently outstanding, 39 of which have been made since 1 December 1990. Earlier information about Romanian children and information about children from other countries granted entry clearance with a view to adoption in the United Kingdom has not been collected centrally.