Downing Street Says » Adoption Laws

» Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Adoption Laws

Asked if the Prime Minister was sympathetic to the concerns of Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the PMOS replied that as he had said yesterday, this was an issue with sensitivities on all sides and the Prime Minister recognised that. This was why it was worth having discussions in Government before coming to a decision. The key point to remember in all of this was the interests of the children concerned. Discussions would be held within Government and then an announcement would be made on the way forward.

Asked if there was a timetable, the PMOS replied that there were active discussions going on within Government. This was not a straightforward black and white issue, this was an issue in which there were sensitivities on all sides and they had to be respected. Equally we had to try and find a way forward.

Asked if the Prime Minister had made up his own mind, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister had not reached a decision yet. This was not clear-cut or straightforward, there were sensitivities. The Cardinal’s letter had illustrated the sensitivities on one side, there were sensitivities on the other side as well. We had to be aware of all of these and plot a way through which recognised above all the interests of the children.

Put to him that in his letter, the Cardinal had said that their adoption agencies may have to be closed down, and did this not smack of blackmail, the PMOS replied that there were concerns on both sides of this issue. What we wanted to do was find a way through that was best for the people who were most directly affected, the children. Again there were arguments on both sides that had to be recognised. We would try to find a way through that would benefit all those concerned.

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