17. The new version of the Bill aims to provide for a more consistent approach to access to information held in adoption agency records, and to information held in birth records. The Bill provides for a single point of access to identifying information through adoption agencies, as the bodies best placed to provide the support and counselling needed for this sensitive task. This new scheme seeks to recognise the interests of all those involved and to take account of their views wherever possible. The provisions are new and the Government would welcome views on whether they strike the right balance.

18. Further information about the new scheme for access to information is provided at Annex A.