§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the rule concerning the age of adopting parents as a criterion for approving overseas adoption; and how many and what proportion of applicants with a prospective parent over 60 years of age have been(a) approved and (b) rejected (i) in 1996–97 and (ii) in each of the last five years. [4234]
§ Mr. BoatengThe minimum age for prospective adopters in England and Wales is 21 years. There is no legal upper age limit. However, age is just one factor504W among many which must be taken into account when assessing the suitability of applicants. Figures on the acceptability of prospective adopters are not held centrally.