Historical forced adoption: How should the Government support those affected?
On Tuesday the Education Committee will hold a public evidence session investigating historical forced adoption practices.
Meeting details
In 2022 another parliamentary committee, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, published a report on adoption practices towards unmarried women in this period. The Committee recommended improving access to adoption records and medical information, and called for the Government to make an official apology for the state’s role.
In the first panel of Tuesday’s session, academic experts will give evidence on the social and legal context around historical forced adoption, including what choices faced unmarried pregnant women and what oversight mechanisms existed to prevent malpractice. Committee Members will also ask what lessons can be learned from responses in other jurisdictions, including Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
In the second panel, MPs will hear evidence on the role of charities and adoption agencies. Witnesses are likely to be asked about the information available in adoption records, and how access might be improved. They may also ask about the counselling and support available to mothers and adoptees.
MPs may also ask both sets of witnesses for their views on options for acknowledging and redressing historical forced adoption, such as through a formal apology.