Children and Adoption Bill [HL]

My Lords, I mean countries in the European Union and countries involved with the Hague Convention. We are also keen to ensure that as many countries as possible participate in, join and sign the Hague Convention. I cannot talk about specific things that I am doing at present, but we are keen to ensure that we use our efforts, particularly during the EU presidency, to persuade more countries to be involved in it, for obvious reasons. That is something that I feel strongly about and something that we have done a lot of work on to ensure that it happens well. I appreciate that the situation is by no means perfect. We are trying to support the voluntary sector, and we are trying to support parents as far as we can. I take on board the comments that have been made. Officials will meet with PACT to discuss what else can be done. I have more statistics, but I cannot and will not release them for the obvious reasons that I have given. I am keen to ensure that we play our full part in the convention and that we support families who are dealing with impossible and harrowing circumstances, as the noble Baroness, Lady Barker, said. I do not think that it is the right place make the amendment, but I am delighted to have had the chance to talk about some of the work that I am doing. On that basis, I hope that the noble Baroness will feel able to withdraw her amendment.