Hemming challenges Harman on Adoption Statistics

4.04.50pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Jul 2007

Speaking in the House of Commons Today, John Hemming MP, Chairman of Justice for Families said: "in England over 60% of children taken into care under the age of five are adopted, whereas in Scotland over 65% of those children under 5 leaving care return to their parents."

Harriet Harman MP, Leader of the House, recognised that "The Family Justice System is the poor relation of the Criminal Justice System".

John Hemming said "these statistics show that the system in England is not returning children to their parents when that is possible, but instead is concentrating on getting them adopted. The enticement of government money for getting children adopted clearly has an effect, but is fundamentally wrong."

"We need to stop these injustices now. The government needs to act."