Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Thursday, 25 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

People Trafficking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to enhance (a) inter-departmental co-operation and (b) a multi-agency approach involving non-governmental organisations in tackling the trafficking of people into the UK.

Answer: The Home Office chairs an inter-departmental ministerial group which meets quarterly and involves a number of Government Departments to discuss how the UK should tackle human trafficking.We recently finished a public consultation on our strategy to combat trafficking in human beings. The objective of this consultation was to feed into the development of a National Action Plan. We received over 200 responses from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious organisations, law enforcement and other bodies.We are exploring with the key NGOs and others the potential benefits and disadvantages of the approach set out in the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Regular meetings with NGO stakeholders are chaired jointly by the Home Office and The Solicitor-General. The first meeting of this new group took place on 15 February and focused on trafficking for sexual exploitation. The group recently met for the second time to discuss the trafficking of children, and will meet again in July. The Government will continue to listen carefully to NGO views to enhance the policies it puts in place to tackle human trafficking.

Secondary information