§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to facilitate inter-country adoption with all signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention. [172218]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 19 May 2004]: The UK ratified the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in relation to inter-country adoption on 1 June 2003. My Department, which under the Convention acts as the central authority for the UK, is working closely with other signatories to remove any obstacles to the successful operation of the Convention.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention have suspended inter-country adoption with the UK. [172215]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 19 May 2004]: Romania has introduced a suspension on all inter-country adoptions, not just with the UK. No other signatories to the Convention have suspended work on inter-country adoption with the UK.
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§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has commissioned into the impact of the arrangements for inter-country adoption which came into effect on 1 June 2003. [172217]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 19 May 2004]: My Department launched a full public consultation on arrangements for intercountry adoption on 31 January 2004. This will bring intercountry adoption within the framework of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
The consultation document specifically asked for comments and feedback on the implementation of the current arrangements for intercountry adoption, which came into effect on 1 June 2003. The consultation closed on 30 April. My Department also held consultation meetings with frontline staff and other stakeholders to discuss the impact of the 1 June 2003 changes.
All of the feedback received on the changes made on 1 June 2003 will be taken into account before the new arrangements to be made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 are finalised.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with Belarus regarding intercountry adoption. [172219]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 19 May 2004]: My Department has opened a dialogue with the Central Authority in Belarus regarding the procedures for intercountry adoption following Belarus' ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.