Children and Social Work Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting) Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Education
Emma Lewell-Buck Portrait Mrs Lewell-Buck
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is right—adoption should not be the only option for a child. It is lazy to think that. That approach does not take into account all the other options that are there and that are in the best interests of the child.

Simon Hoare Portrait Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)
- Hansard - -

To the best of my memory, “Philomena” is a film set in the 1950s in the Republic of Ireland, so it has nothing to do with the Government of the United Kingdom. If the hon. Lady is really suggesting that her opposition to the clause should be based on the adoption policies of the Republic in the 1950s, parents interested in adoption may look rather askance at that.

Emma Lewell-Buck Portrait Mrs Lewell-Buck
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I think I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. However, I will not dwell on the point, because I think he has missed the context of what we are trying to describe here.