To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether an adoption agency expressing a preference to place a child with (a) a black or Asian family, (b) a family of a specific faith and (c) a heterosexual couple would constitute discrimination under the Government’s proposed equality legislation. (117924)

An adoption agency (i.e. a local authority or a voluntary adoption agency) may assess a person as regards their suitability to adopt a child, but the decision on whether to place a child for adoption with particular prospective adopters is taken by the local authority adoption panel. The paramount consideration in any decision on whether to place a child for adoption with particular prospective adopters is the welfare of the child throughout his or her life, taking account of the child’s religion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.