LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Great Britain's education secretary, who was an adopted child, spoke out in favor of Parliament's intentions to liberalize the country's adoption procedures.
Michael Gove, who was adopted at the age of 4 months, said in London he "can never adequately repay" his parents and was fortunate to have "a second chance," The Sun reported Tuesday.
Gove said the old rules are depriving children of the opportunity to have adoptive parents like his own.
Under current law, hundreds of children without parents are prevented from finding loving homes, The Sun said.
Under the proposed changes, would-be adoptive parents over the age of 45 will be able to adopt, as will white couples seeking to become the parents of children of different ethnicities, The Sun said.
The newspaper said it takes 50 percent longer to locate homes for black children.
The new rules will allow organizations to better help find homes for children with disabilities and older children.
"Adoption provides very clear benefits to children in very vulnerable circumstances. We must all ensure that when a child needs adoption, that plan is realized without delay," said David Holmes of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
