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Policing and Crime Bill

I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman, whose contribution to this debate has been important. I am grateful to him and Back Benchers from all parties for their support on new clause 4. The Joint Committee on Human Rights said:""We are therefore unconvinced by the Government's explanation of the continuing need for the criminalisation of children involved in prostitution, which is in direct opposition to the conclusions of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In particular, we are not persuaded by the assertion that the criminal justice system may be needed to enable children to access support. The provision of revised guidance is insufficient to address our central point of concern. We recommend"—" as I do now—""that the Government reconsider its opposition to decriminalising children involved in prostitution and suggest an amendment to the Bill."" In the minute that I have left, I should like to turn to new clause 25; I imagine that I will have to come back to it after the Speaker's statement. The new clause is one of the key parts of the debate.