§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of children brought into the United Kingdom for the purpose of adoption each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information held centrally relates to Romanian children during the last two years only. In 1990 the issue of 114 entry clearances was authorised to Romanian children with a view to adoption by British couples. To date the corresponding figure for 1991 is 212. In 1990, a total of 80 and in 1991 to date seven Romanian children have been brought to the United Kingdom without entry clearance with a view to adoption. In addition I understand that in 1990 our High Commission in Sri Lanka issued 54 entry clearances to Sri Lankan children with a view to adoption by British couples.