Oral Answers to Questions

Tracy Gilbert Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris]

The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised to hear that when any decision is taken across Government, it is done in the round and we have those conversations with our colleagues in other Departments. Giving local leaders the power to make that decision, if they want it, is important and, of course, if people do not follow it, there ought to be sanctions.

[Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)]

T8. The number of C51 parental order applications has more than doubled in the past decade, and with more applications involving international surrogacy arrangements, the complexity of these cases has increased. Can the Minister confirm whether His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service has raised concerns with the Department on these increased numbers, and will the Minister meet me and campaigners to discuss the growing concerns?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)]

These applications and surrogacy issues raise complex issues around ethics, law and medicine. We have not had those concerns raised by HMCTS, but I am happy to meet my hon. Friend and campaigners to discuss it in more detail.