"Welfare of children our priority" - PM
25 January 2007
Tony Blair says he will work to find a solution that ends discrimination against gays while protecting vulnerable children receiving help with adoption from Catholic agencies.
The Equality Act, due to come into effect in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.
But the agencies claim they will close if not given an opt-out from having to place children with homosexual couples, which they say goes against their beliefs.
Mr Blair said:
"These new regulations provide a massive step forward in ending discrimination against gay people. They build on previous measures such as equalising the age of consent, ending Section 28 and the introduction of civil partnerships. Now we want to ensure equality in the provision of goods and services, such as hotels and housing.
This is about regulations which will extend further anti-discrimination legislation. We are clear about what we want to do. There is one last aspect within the new regulations to resolve and it concerns adoption.
I have always personally been in favour of the right of gay couples to adopt. Our priority will always be the welfare of the child. That is why the Adoption Act (2004) sought to extend the field of potential adoptive parents to include unmarried and gay couples.
Catholic Adoption Agencies represent one third of voluntary sector operating in this area, and have a proven track record with the most difficult to place children.
Both gay couples and the Catholic Agencies have high levels of success in adopting hard to place children. It is for that reason we have taken time to ensure we get these regulations right.
How do we protect the principle of ending discrimination against gay people and at the same time protect those vulnerable children who, at the present time, are being placed through, and aftercare provided by, Catholic Agencies who everyone accepts do a great job with some of the most disturbed youngsters?
We will announce a decision next week and vote, probably next month. I am committed to finding a way though this sensitive and difficult issue."
