§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what future arrangements he plans for adoption agencies and prospective adopters; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what specific proposals he has to ensure that adoption services are part of the full range of child care services which will require to be provided by each of the new local authorities;
(3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements for adoption following local government re-organisation; what co-ordination there will be; who will provide funding; and if he will make a statement;
829W(4) what arrangements he intends making to ensure that children have the opportunity of adoption in each of the new local authority areas.
§ Mr. StewartAdoption is, and will continue to be, an important part of the range of services available for the care of children. Adoption law has been subject to extensive review and consultation in Scotland over the last few years and we propose to publish a policy statement shortly.
Reorganisation of local government will clearly involve some restructuring of services and every care will be taken to ensure that services available now will be maintained, including those provided by adoption agencies. The strategic child care plans which are to be developed from the proposals in the White Paper "Scotland's Children" are of direct relevance in this context. Scottish Office officials have had preliminary discussions about reorganisation with the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering which are grant aided by the Government and which have an important national role to play in the development of adoption services.