RIGHT FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD TO HAVE A LEGAL RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH PARENTS

That this House notes that the Adoption and Children Bill prohibits two adults in a stable long-term relationship, but who are unmarried, from jointly adopting a child; believes that a child should have the right to a legal relationship with both parents; is aware that it is estimated that currently 40 per cent. of children are born outside marriage and that many adults live in committed relationships but not in marriage; observes that some adults in 2001 have a philosophical opposition to marriage and that this need not lessen their commitment to each other; is concerned that if joint adoption is restricted to married adults it can only reduce the opportunity for children to find adoptive parents at a time when there is already a shortage of adopters for many groups of children; notes that a recent Mori survey showed that 68 per cent. of respondents supported joined adoption by unmarried couples in stable long-term relationships; notes that the Secretary of State for Health said at Second Reading that it 'must be for the courts' to decide who is or is not an appropriate prospective parent; and concludes that it is time for this prohibition to be removed.