New intermediary agencies would be set up and the request to make contact by child and parent, would become a legal right.

Relatives who placed a child for adoption several years ago (between 1926 and 1975) and are now elderly will be the first to benefit from the scheme.

The scheme recognises that some people have no wish to be traced or to have their details passed.

Do you think that the laws will protect the rights of children, their birth family and their adopted family? What experiences do you have of adoption? Send us your views.

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of the opinions we have received:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Naomei Cathcart, UK: Will new laws on adopted children tracing their birth parents dissuade people from giving children up for adoption? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

This new proposal is utterly disgraceful. I was adopted in the late fifties and have lived a wonderful, fulfilling life since. This is all down to my mum and dad who adopted me - anyone else coming along purporting to be such a relative will be very unwelcome. I have my own family now and we would see any contact attempt as an utterly unwarranted intrusion.
Tom, Scotland

My husband was adopted in 1949 and has never really wanted to trace his natural parents as his relationship with his adopted parents was so good. So it would be devastating to have someone make contact now. The only thing I would like to make easier is access to health records. I have a history of cancer on my side of the family and, if there were to be the same on my husband's side, it could have a bearing on any screening for our children. I think perhaps this sort of information should be put into medical records so that it can be passed on when appropriate.
Anon, West Sussex, UK

I don't think it will dissuade people from giving babies for adoption. At the time that happens, there are far more pressing reasons which override any thoughts of the future. What it will do is create distress and heartache for those who have brought the children up as their own. It will also create such distress for the parent who may well have sorted their lives out, got married and had a family. You have to ask the question, why is it so important to potentially destroy two families just to satisfy the curiosity of an individual?
Mark H, UK

I was adopted in 1970 and have no wish to contact my biological parents and would not wish for contact in the future. The rights of the child is the most important issue to be considered. If an adopted person wishes to trace birth parents they are able to do so through various agencies.
Alison, Leicestershire

This scheme needs very careful thought and planning Maria, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I was adopted in 1967 at the age of 2 and a half and my birth name changed. My adoptive parents kept me in the dark for 30 years and it was by pure chance that I found out. The effect on my life has since been very traumatic dealing with a great deal of very difficult emotions. My adoptive parents, who gave me everything and whom I love, cannot bring themselves to talk about the past. This scheme needs very careful thought and planning to ensure that all the necessary support is in place. A great deal of damage could be caused otherwise.
Maria, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I have two adopted nephews - both an integral part of our family. They are now 14 and 12, they both know that they were picked by my sister and bought home as babies. Imagine the trauma at this stage of their lives if their biological parents show up. It will be devastating. So no - giving parents the right to trace children is wrong - no one will want to adopt knowing that their lives could be disrupted at any point.
Jo, Leeds

I have been searching for my mother for over 10 years now but because of the data protection act I have hit a brick wall. Let's hope the new rules will at least give us all a chance to find our natural families. I was very happy as a child and loved my parents but I still need to know my mother. She is 73 now and time is running out. I also feel a public inquiry is needed into the way women in the past were forced to part with their babies. Try taking a baby from a modern woman. It shouldn't be allowed.
Christine Wood, Newcastle upon Tyne

There should be no way that any parent is allowed to ever trace their children who have been adopted. If the child wishes to find their real parents, ok every assistance should be given, but to disrupt the lives of people and children just because after all these years you suddenly feel guilty should not be tolerated.
Keith, Sunderland; UK

Found my mum in tears yesterday at this news. It's not just adopted children who could be traumatised by these proposals, but their adoptive parents who have loved, cared and helped adoptees like me all their lives. The Government should mind its own business and stop causing such terrible distress.
Jenny, Scotland

I met my natural mother after the laws changed in Australia, and it was one of the most disappointing moments of my life. I couldn't stand her and then could not get her out of my life.
Anon

My real parents are the wonderful mother and father who adopted me Barbara Day, Blackpool

I was adopted at the age of five and watched my brothers walking away from me. I have been fortunate in that my oldest brother contacted me when I was 19, but I had no wish to associate with my birth parents. My real parents are the wonderful mother and father who adopted me. For those who need to seek their roots, I think it is a good idea, as long as there is the provision for the adopted child to be contacted only if they have first expressed a wish for this to happen.
Barbara Day, Blackpool, UK

For the past three years I have been trying to find my birth parents. I have not had any luck at all. I welcome this decision by the government and hope my birth parents look me up.
Paul Jackson, Essex, England

I had a son back in 1969/70, and would love to meet him. I think the government is right with the changes, I wonder if my son does?
Chris Dyer, Ilfracombe, England

I was adopted in 1980 in the US. In many states, including my birth state, adoptees are allowed only non-identifying information about their birth parents -and then, only after the adoptee turns 18. The state has records of my birth family, but I would need a court order to access them. This situation can be maddening. Needless to say, I'll be watching this story closely to see how well it works.
James, Arlington, VA, USA

I was adopted in the early 60's and I am concerned about this new legislation. I have no wish to be traced by my birth parents and I don't even want to be contacted by an intermediary agency. Just the knowledge that a birth parent wants to have contact with me will put me under pressure to reciprocate. This legislation takes no account of my wishes and I feel it is certainly unfair to adoptive parents. I'm sorry, but I feel that my birth mother gave up her rights to me when she put me up for adoption. If I want to contact her I already can - if I haven't it's because I don't want to - end of story.
Kath, Seaham, UK

So, let's just get this right: You give your children up for adoption, for whatever reason. Some years later (maybe 5, 10, 15, whatever), you can decide that you want to get together with them again. So you can. So what does adoption mean?
Steve, UK

I have a 6 year old adopted son and any agency coming to seek information or a meeting with him will get a frosty reception from me. These proposals have not been thought through as usual, I do not want someone who i know nothing about receiving information about my family from some bumped up social worker
J Ross, Scotland

The proposals do not appear to consider the reaction of those who still do not know they were adopted Carl Moss, London

I was adopted in 1955 but only found out in 1988. The proposals do not appear to consider the reaction of those who still do not know they were adopted. Intermediation will not prevent a potentially traumatic disclosure.
Carl Moss, London

My mother gave her first child up for adoption, due to pressure by my grandparents. I once tried to find him but was not successful.. Does this mean I too can do a search for my brother? Hope it does.
Darren, London

The moment that the birth parents give their child up for adoption they should loose all rights and links to that child. I don't see the benefit to any of the people involved of allowing the parents who gave up their child to later effectively change their minds.
Richard Read, London, UK

I was adopted at birth and find it very unsettling that I could be tracked down. Why should birth parents have this right - they have caused us damage enough by abandoning us the first time. If we wish to contact them, we will at a time that feels right for us not under pressure to make a decision by an intermediary.
Louise, UK

I know parents who were forced to have their child adopted against their will and are desperate to get in contact with him. I understand that while some parents who had children adopted were forced to do so for the good of the child, there are many who were not and a balanced approach which focuses on the facts not fears would suit best here. My friends are wonderful people who would only add to somebody's life. They are no longer a couple but good friends and I think they deserve a chance to explain
Matthew, London, UK

I think they deserve a chance to explain Matthew, London, UK

I was adopted in 1958 and tried to find my mother and father in 1998. I put my name on the register. I did find out my name before I was adopted and where I was born including a picture of the building that has now been demolished and also that my mother asked about me between the time of birth and adoption. At that time my father supported her and did tell his wife who also gave birth about the same time as I was born. I think that if it was easier for them to contact me it would be good as they are now elderly and i feel that because they did not forget me as a baby they may well want to get in contact before its too late. I do understand that all parties feelings must be taken into consideration but for me it would be great to knew who I look like and if my children and grandchildren were like there other grandchildren.
Mandy, Uxbridge, UK

I was adopted in 1969 and, whilst I have an excellent relationship with my adoptive parents, I would like to write to my birth mother to let her know I am fine and bear her no ill feelings. I don't like the idea of parents being able to trace the child as not all 'parents' were honest with their children. I think it should be the choice of the child to trace the parents as they are the ones who I think, it affects most as they had no say in whether they were born or not.
Jo, Cambs, UK

I was adopted in the 1960's by a wonderful family who have given me love support and to date a great life. I welcome the new proposed changes to allow relatives to try and trace for the reason that it would still be my choice whether I wanted to agree to the contact or not. I have always known about being adopted and there is always a reason for someone to have to give up their child and that should not restrict them from having the possibility of knowing what type of individual they have grown into.
John Rushbury, Glasgow, Scotland

I'm no expert on this matter, although I was adopted and have now traced my natural family, but it seems the one gap in this new policy is situations where the adoptive parents have not actually told their children they are adopted. The shock of receiving such news via a third party could destroy relationships.
Ian, Guildford, UK

I was adopted in 1963 and have very loving 'parents'. A few years ago I went through the emotional turmoil of seeking information about my birth parents. This was sufficient for me to find out the 'whys and wherefores' of the circumstances surrounding my adoption. As my birth parents were told they would never have the change to trace me, why should the law be changed. They knew what they were doing in 1963. I have no desire to receive information that my birth parents wish to contact me.
Jenny, UK

This is totally unfair. Anyone who was adopted and isn't interested in contacting birth parents now has to add insult to injury by refusing to allow contact and vice versa. What a shambles. This looks like an infringement of the civil liberties of both parties. You can change the rules going forward, but not in retrospective. Wake up government, smell the coffee, and do a U-turn before your meddling causes more grief.
Rick, Knutsford, Cheshire

Wake up government, smell the coffee, and do a U-turn before your meddling causes more grief Rick, Knutsford, Cheshire

I was born in 1955 to an unmarried mother and given up for adoption in 1956. About 12 years ago, through NORCAP I traced my natural mother to Yorkshire, I wrote and sent photos and gave a pen picture of my life, my marriage and children. There was a brief exchange of letters and I was told I had a half brother and half sister. There was then silence for a year or so, I wrote again after that period, to say I my son had been born. There was no response and I have not tried again. So far as I am concerned that is a second rejection. I am glad to have a bit more background information, and now I know where I was actually born, but rejection is still the emotion I feel the most.
Hugh Thresher, Reading England

I was adopted in the 40's, and would love to find out if my natural father is still alive. I promised my mother and stepfather I would not do this while they were alive, but they have now passed on, and I want to know if I have any Step brothers or Step sisters. I would start a search as soon as it becomes available to me.
Brian Wills, Holyhead, Anglesey

I was adopted in 1943. When the law changed I managed to trace my mother, with the support of my adoptive mother. I knew where she lived for some time but couldn't pluck up the courage to contact her. I actually drove by her house once and saw her in the garden. Eventually I made contact with her through an intermediary. After some time I met my mother and two half sisters. It was great. After that we kept in touch with letters and visits but sadly my sister died aged 43 and the following year my mother also died. My other sister and I are still great friends.
Sally, Somerset UK

I managed to trace my mother, with the support of my adoptive mother Sally, Somerset UK

My wife and I have been approved to adopt, and a child has been selected by "The Panel" for us to adopt. The process is slow enough as it is, without more legislation being introduced that will slow down the process and waste more social workers time that could be put to use in securing some quality of life for children that wait. In our circumstance the child we are intending to adopt has an extremely aggressive father who is in Prison currently. If the legislation is not handled carefully then more prospective adopters will be put off by potential threats to their current families that you have to think of first. I am sure that the lengthy process puts off enough people already.
Clive , Portsmouth, Hampshire

My wife and I are adoptive parents. Our son was adopted before 1975, whilst our daughter was after this date. We were given a substantial amount of information about our daughter's natural parents and family, but the barest minimum about our son. We have had both children since they were babies and we, naturally, regard them both as our own.

Both my wife and I would be very upset if, out of the blue, access was sought by their natural parents. It seems that the Government is thinking only about the birth parents - particularly the mother - to the exclusion of the adoptive parents. I appreciate that contact can be refused by the children, but we would have no say in the matter despite having gone through the several years of social worker investigations and then through the County Court judgements which seem to be being ignored.

I can honestly say that I feel the framework of this proposed legislation should be re-examined with the feelings of the adoptive parents becoming at least as prominent as those of the birth ones, if not more so.
John, Keighley, England