HC Deb 14 July 1998 vol 316 cc152-3W
39. Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of adoptions of children by European Union citizens in Thailand. [48740]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Thailand is not a country recognised under the Adoption (Designation of Overseas Adoptions) Order 1973. In common with all other such countries, adoption orders made there are not recognised under UK law. Thai children must therefore be adopted again through the UK Courts. Applications made on this basis are considered as a matter of discretion outside the Immigration Rules.