HC Deb 21 January 1993 vol 217 cc385-6W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many inquiries have been received by the overseas adoption helpline since the statement of the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo), on Bosnian orphans in early January; and if she will make a statement;

(2) what is the current response time on the overseas adoptions helpline; and if she will make a statement;

(3) how many inquiries have been answered by the overseas adoption helpline since it was set up; and if she will make a statement;

(4) what representations she has received about the level of service from the overseas adoption helpline.

Mr. Yeo

The overseas adoption helpline began operating on 11 May 1992. It had received 1,500 telephone calls by 13 January 1993, 450 of which were received between 4 and 13 January. Callers are currently being advised that a response may take two weeks. I have received no written representations about the level of service except for the letter from my hon. Friend of the 13 January which has recently been received in my office.