Written question asked by Neil Gerrard (Labour) on Thursday, 13 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2008. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigrants: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timescale she has set for actions and decisions concerning children subject to immigration control to be taken in compliance with the full obligations and rights set out within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Answer: The UK Border Agency's treatment of children must be as sensitive as possible.Withdrawing the reservation was made possible largely because of the way we have transformed our child protection arrangements since 1991. This includes legislating to impose a duty on UKBA to abide by a code of practice.This code is designed to ensure that while exercising its functions in the UK, UKBA takes appropriate steps to ensure that while children are in the UK they are safe from harm. No additional changes to legislation, guidance or practice are currently envisaged.

Secondary information