I beg to move amendment No. 108, in page 66, line 37, leave out 'and'.

With this it will be convenient to consider the following: Government amendment No. 189.

Amendment No. 109, in page 66, line 41, at end insert 'and; (c) shall have regard so far as practicable to the child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.'.

Amendment No. 109 would require a court or an adoption agency to have regard, as far as practicable, to a child's religious persuasion, racial origin, cultural or linguistic background. Government amendment No. 189 not only includes that but refers to the child's views, and I am sure it is a much superior amendment. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment made: No. 189, in page 66, line 38, leave out from 'practicable' to end of line 41 and insert—

1. '—(i) to his views (if he wishes to express them) taking account of his age and maturity; and
2. (ii) to his religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.'.—[Lord James Douglas-Hamilton.]