§ Mr. BoothTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers she has to prevent a British child from being taken out of the United Kingdom by a local authority social services department for adoption by a family in Canada.
§ Mr. YeoDepending on the circumstances, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has power to issue directions under section 7A of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 in respect of local authority adoption functions. This power would be used only exceptionally and not normally in respect of an individual case. It is not our function to review local authority practice in relation to individual cases nor to act as an appellate body. However, if my hon. Friend has concerns about a particular case he may wish to contact me directly with the details.