Written question asked by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 April 2009. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Adoption: British Overseas Territories

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make it his policy to apply The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to all overseas territories.

Answer: For the Hague convention to be extended to any overseas territory, that territory must have the necessary legislation for implementing the convention in place. The 'overseas territories' are self-governing and our position is that implementation of the convention is a matter for them. Should an overseas territory wish to implement the convention, then we could extend the convention to that territory once the necessary legislation was in place.We would encourage all countries to implement the Hague convention to protect the best interests of children in intercountry adoptions.

Secondary information