New provisions on the disclosure of information
Adoption and Children Bill
10:30 am
The first thing to do is to say is that we recognise that this is an extremely difficult and sensitive area in which it is difficult to balance the rights of the various parties in the process.
We are making the change because we are taking the opportunity--it does not arise often—to look at the adoption legislation and to consider whether there is anything in the existing system that we might want to change. The Government are taking a consultative approach to the issue, which is why the Bill has been referred to a Special Standing Committee, and we are keen to hear the views of all the various organisations in the field on these proposals. We recognise that they are a change, but this is an extremely difficult and sensitive area in which it is hard to strike a balance.
Perhaps it would be helpful if I explained the thinking behind the change and what drove it.