§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national register of couples wishing to adopt. [58248]
§ Mr. HuttonI have been asked to reply.
122WWe have no plans to introduce a national register of couples wishing to adopt. However, the recent Government initiative 'Quality Protects', and publication in August of the Local Authority Circular 'Adoption—Achieving the Right Balance' set out the Government's commitment to improving services for children, including adoption. Local authorities must be pro-active in avoiding undue delay in placing children for adoption and in recruiting prospective adopters able to meet the needs of children needing new and permanent families. We will monitor closely progress by local authorities on the placement of children for adoption.