Written question asked by Damian Green (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 July 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Human Trafficking: Sex Establishments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her Department is conducting with the newspaper industry over the placing of advertisements by establishments offering sexual services in newspapers; and whether her Department has made any estimate of the number of trafficked women potentially working in such establishments.

Answer: In November 2007 I met with representatives from the newspaper and advertising industries on this issue. The Newspaper Society have reviewed guidance it issues to publishers to ensure it fully reflects concerns about human trafficking for sexual exploitation. In January the Government Equalities Office also published Women Not for Sale, which raised the issue of the links between this type of advertisement, and the trafficking of women into the UK for the purposes of prostitution.There has been no estimate on the number of trafficked women who are involved in related activity.

Secondary information