§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he received before publication of the Adoption and Children Bill from birth relatives who experienced distress at having their identifying details passed on to adopted persons. [24395]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 8 January 2002]: Departmental officials have received expressions of concern from some interested stakeholder organisations about the possibility of birth relatives being caused distress as a result of identifying details being passed on to adopted persons. As acknowledged by officials when giving oral evidence to the Adoption and Children Bill Special Standing Committee on 20 November 2001, this is only likely to concern a small minority of cases.