938

this to serve the people of his country. Malta had suffereda severe epidemic of poliomyelitis, and Prof. H. J. Seddonat Oxford, who had undertaken a survey of the after-effectsof this epidemic, arranged a special intensive course oftraining in the orthopaedic problems of poliomyelitis forJohn Craig, who returned to Malta, and established, indifficult circumstances, a programme of orthopaedic re-

construction and rehabilitation for his fellow-countrymenwho had been stricken by this disease. He was invited tooccupy the chair of surgery in Malta following the retire-ment of his former chief, Prof. P. P. Debono, and he threwhimself unsparingly into this dual role of surgeon andteacher. He set high standards for himself and tried to instilthese standards into the training of his students-standardsnot only of professional ability but of personal conduct.His concern for the students under his care was equalledonly by his response to the needs of his patients, for whomhe worked untiringly.Although his colleagues regarded him as a surgeon of

great skill and knowledge, he himself had a deep sense ofhumility and took every opportunity of advancing hisknowledge and experience in those subjects in which he felta need. His experience in orthopxdic surgery had broughthim into close contact with children, and he was a frequentand very welcome attender at the annual congress of theBritish Association of Pxdiatric Surgeons. John Craig’slife-work was the surgical care of his patients; he served hisfellow-men to the utmost of his ability and the limit of hisskill.

He is survived by his wife and their five children.R. B. Z.

Dr. C. H. BARNETT, professor of anatomy at St.Thomas’s Hospital Medical School, London, died on

Oct. 23.

Appointments

ALLISON, J. D., M.B. Cantab., F.R.C.S.: consultant orthopsEdie surgeon,Wessex R.H.B.

HUGHES, D. T. D., B.M., B.SC. Oxon., M.R.c.P.: consultant in generalmedicine, the London Hospital.

LANE, D. J., B.M. Oxon., n2.x.C.r.: consultant physician, UnitedOxford Hospitals.

SIMPSON, J. C., M.B. Lond., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant an&sthetist, theLondon Hospital and the London Chest Hospital.

YOUNGMAN, P. M. E., M.B. Lond., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anesthetist,Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London.

Birmingham Regional Hospital BoardGLICK, SELWYN, M.B. Birm., F.R.C.S., D.OBST.: consultant surgeon,

Burton-on-Trent hospital group.GRANT, M. 0., B.A., M.B. Dubl., M.R.C.O.G., D.OBST. : consultant

obstetrician and gynaecologist. North Staffordshire hospital group.HicKEN, PETER, M.D., B.sc. Birm., D.M.R.D.: consultant radiologist,

Mid-Worcestershire hospital group.KAUFMAN, H. D., CH.M. L’pool., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.E.: consultant

surgeon, South Birmingham hospital group.SHAH, J. L., M.B. Birm., F.F.A. R.c.s.: consultant anaathetist, Dudley

Road (Birmingham) hospital group.

Newcastle Regional Hospital BoardBROUGH, F. T., M.B. Cantab., M.R.C.O.G., D.OBST.: consultant obstetri-

cian and gynaecologist. West Cumberland hospital group.BROUGH, WILLIAM, M.B. Durh., D.P.M.: consultant psychotherapist,

Newcastle upon Tyne hospital group.CONNOLLY, C. K., M.B. Cantab., M.R.C.P. : consultant in general

medicine, Darlington District and Northallerton hospital group.MEREDITH, J. S., M.B. Glasg., F.R.C.P.E. : consultant in general medicine,

West Cumberland hospital group.MORGAN, B. D. G., M.B. Lond., F.R.C.S.: consultant plastic surgeon,

regional plastic surgery service, Shotley Bridge General Hospital.NARGOLWALA, V. S., M.B. Osmania, F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.E.: consultant in

orthopaedic surgery, North West Durham hospital group.PARKER, CLIVE, M.B. Edin., F.R.C.S.: consultant urologist, Sunderland

area.

Notes and News

WORKING PAPER ON ADOPTION

SiR William Houghton’s Committee on Adoption, whichhas been sitting since July, 1969, has made an interimreport I containing many detailed proposals for changes inthe law, policy, and procedure on adoption. The main

policy change proposed (and none too soon) is that theinterests of the child shall be paramount, over and above therights of the natural, foster, or adoptive parents. To ensurethat the child’s interests are safeguarded, there should be acomprehensive range of legal provisions for children notbeing brought up by their own parents, and a network ofadoption agencies (both local-authority and voluntary)covering the whole country, and providing a completesocial-work service. To this end, it should be mandatoryon local authorities to provide such a service, there shouldbe a more stringent process of registration for voluntaryagencies, and, where necessary, agencies should be groupedtogether if the service provided by a single agency is notcomprehensive enough.The committee feels that independent adoptions by non-

relatives and, in particular, third-party placements shouldnot be made, as there is no assurance in these placementsthat the welfare of the child is the first consideration. Asa means of bringing some order to the vexed question of therights of foster-parents, it is recommended that foster-

parents should not be able to apply for adoption (orguardianship) until the child has been in their care for atleast one year, and then only with permission from the localauthority. When the child has been fostered for five yearsor more, the foster-parents should have an absolute right toapply for adoption. The committee considers that specialjustification is needed to permit adoption by relativesbecause it " severs in law, but not in fact, an existingrelationship of blood or affinity, and creates an adoptiverelationship in place of the natural relationship ". It

should, therefore, no longer be possible for a natural parentto adopt his or her own child, as these adoptions are

generally made only to cut out the claims over the child ofthe other natural parent. A step-parent should be able toadopt the illegitimate, but not the legitimate, child of hisspouse (it is felt that the legitimate child has already formedties with his natural parents), and this adoption should notaffect the spouse’s legal position as the child’s naturalparent. In many situations, guardianship will be a moreappropriate means of recognising the position of relativeswho are caring for a child, and of conferring legal security;it may also be appropriate for foster-parents where there isa good chance that natural parents may eventually wish toresume care of the child. Relatives and foster-parents may,if necessary, be appointed guardians by the courts againstthe wishes of the natural parents.The courts should still be responsible for taking the final

decision on whether or not a child shall be adopted, butsome of the present legal procedure should be changed.For example, the appointment of the guardian ad litemshould not be mandatory in every case, as his function canto a large extent be fulfilled by the agency’s social-worker.The committee feels there are strong grounds for making itpossible for the mother’s consent to adoption to becomefinal before an adoption order is made-even before thechild is placed. Consent should therefore be to adoption ingeneral, and not to a specific placement. But in non-

agency adoption, consent should be given to the specificplacement. In considering what kind of court should hear

1. Adoption of Children. Working paper containing the provisionalproposals of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption ofChildren. H.M. Stationery Office. 14s.