22.—(1) An adoption order shall not be made in respect of a child who was not placed with the applicant by an adoption agency unless the applicant has, at least 3 months before the date of the order, served notice on the Board within whose area he has his home of his intention to apply for the adoption order.
(2) On receipt of such a notice the Board shall investigate the matter and submit to the court a report of its investigation and shall assist the court in any manner the court may direct.
(3) Under paragraph (2), the Board shall in particular investigate,—
(a)so far as is practicable, the suitability of the applicant, and any other matters relevant to the operation of Article 9 in relation to the application; and
(b)whether the child was placed with the applicant in contravention of Article 11.
(4) A Board which receives notice under paragraph (1) in respect of a child whom the Board knows to be in the care of another Board shall, not more than 7 days after the receipt of the notice, inform that other Board in writing, that it has received the notice.