Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Stern (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 14 March 2006.

Children: Custody

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. Does she agree that the account in the report by the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, of thousands of unjustifiable strip searches of children who may be as young as 12 and the subduing of children through the use of pain, which can lead to injury and permanent damage to young bones, suggests that action is needed? Does she now accept the report’s recommendation that the time has come for her responsibility for children in custody to be moved from the Home Office to the Minister for Children?

Answer: My Lords, I acknowledge what the noble Baroness says about the difficulties that have been identified. Strip searching can, on occasion, be necessary. Of course, it is important for those occasions to be limited and for the procedure to be appropriately undertaken. Pain-compliant means of control are strictly regulated. I assure the noble Baroness that we have put in place a code that is monitored regularly to ensure that the implementation is as we would all wish it to be.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 679 c1093
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Body searches Inquiries Pain Young offenders Restraint techniques Solitary confinement
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk