Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marsha De Cordova and Peter Swallow

Thursday 26th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)]

8. What assessment the Church has made of the potential merits of issuing a formal apology to mothers and adoptees affected by the Church’s involvement in historical forced adoptions.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Marsha De Cordova)]

The Church of England has expressed heartfelt sorrow and regret that anyone has been hurt. The National Church Institutions are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including, most importantly, those people who were directly affected.

[Peter Swallow]

On Tuesday, the Education Committee held a public evidence session on historical forced adoptions and heard how, over many decades, unmarried mothers were shamed and coerced into giving up their babies for adoption—a practice driven by the policies of the state and delivered by charities and religious organisations, including the Church of England. Do the Church Commissioners agree that the victims—mothers and adopted children—are owed a full and formal apology from the Church for its role in this scandal? I heard what my hon. Friend said, but only a formal apology will begin to heal the wounds of this horrible scandal.

[Marsha De Cordova]

The Church recognises the profound pain experienced by many mothers and adoptees affected by historical forced adoption practices, and it is sobering to hear the accounts from mothers and their children whose lives have been adversely affected by what happened to them in maternity homes, including those linked to the Church of England. I want to reiterate to my hon. Friend that the Church has expressed its heartfelt sorrow and regret that people have been impacted by that practice. If he is willing, I am very happy to meet him.