§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will order an inquiry into the circumstances of a coloured child removed from white foster parents by Lancashire county council; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will review the guidelines for transracial adoptions, so as to avoid the removal of children from foster parents of different racial origin to their children; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAll directors of social services in England on 29 January 1990 received guidance on the issues of race and culture in the placement of children for fostering and adoption. It makes clear that usually placements with a family of similar ethnic origin and religion will be most likely to meet a child's needs and safeguard his or her welfare. In some cases, however, placement with a family of a different ethnic origin may be the best choice for a particular child. All factors relevant to a child's welfare should be considered when decisions are made. Copies of the guidance (CI(90)2), which is still current, have been placed in the Library.
The social services inspectorate has made inquiries into the case in question. It has been assured that in reaching its decision to remove the child and place him for adoption with another white family, Lancashire county council gave first consideration to the child's welfare. The ethnic origins of the child were considered but were not the principal reason for the removal.