Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 4 February 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Unaccompanied and Trafficked Children

Question: But are those local authorities going to be given the support that they need to ensure that they can keep tabs on the children concerned? It is an absolute disgrace in the 21st century that children who are at such risk cannot receive that support from the United Kingdom.

Answer: Yes, and my hon. Friend is quite right to describe the trafficking of children as an absolute disgrace. As I mentioned earlier, the Home Office published the results of its public consultation exercise last week, which include better procedures to assess the age of children, ensuring that adults and children are not accommodated together, and putting in place better procedures to identify and support asylum-seeking children who are the victims of trafficking, while paying particular attention to those who are at risk of going missing or suffering further harm or exploitation.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 471 c649
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Children Children in care Asylum Human trafficking Protection Missing persons Runaway children
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk