Written question asked by Damian Green (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 March 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 March 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Forced Marriage: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements her Department makes to pass on to (a) schools and (b) social services departments the details of children identified by the police, the Border and Immigration Agency or other Home Office bodies as being vulnerable to offences associated with surrounding forced marriage; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 18 March 2008]: Where children are identified as being vulnerable to forced marriage, actions to safeguard those children will be taken as part of child protection procedures. This will include the involvement of the police and local safeguarding children's boards.Guidelines for professionals (police, education professionals, health and social workers) on dealing with cases of forced marriage have also been issued by the Forced Marriage Unit. When implemented, the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will place these guidelines on a statutory footing.

Secondary information