Westminster hall adjournment debate on human trafficking.

Westminster hall adjournment debate on human trafficking.

I say to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen), through my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore), that I know that, because I was there.

I say to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen), through my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore), that I know that, because I was there.

I can confirm to my hon. Friend that we signed the Council of Europe convention on 23 March. I hope that that is of help to him.

I can confirm to my hon. Friend that we signed the Council of Europe convention on 23 March. I hope that that is of help to him.

I thank the hon. Gentleman; I meant the summer recess. I turn to a couple of other points. My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli was gracious enough to point to some of the progress that has been made. She also talked about some aspects of the action plan, such...

I thank the hon. Gentleman; I meant the summer recess. I turn to a couple of other points. My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli was gracious enough to point to some of the progress that has been made. She also talked about some aspects of the action plan, such...

It seems that I was asked about 150 questions. I have tried to take a broad brush to them, but, particularly if the hon. Gentleman feels that there is a particular question that we have not answered, I shall try to write to him. On the question of assets, through...

It seems that I was asked about 150 questions. I have tried to take a broad brush to them, but, particularly if the hon. Gentleman feels that there is a particular question that we have not answered, I shall try to write to him. On the question of assets, through...

No, but I will finish.

No, but I will finish.

I am overjoyed with that comment. I will go further than that. If the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon want me to come back to the JCHR at some point in the future—at a reasonable time, not next week or in a couple of months—I...

I am overjoyed with that comment. I will go further than that. If the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon want me to come back to the JCHR at some point in the future—at a reasonable time, not next week or in a couple of months—I...

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman will leave for the recess having to look forward to the report’s arrival when he comes back. I expect and hope that it will be published before then. That is the best that I can do.

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman will leave for the recess having to look forward to the report’s arrival when he comes back. I expect and hope that it will be published before then. That is the best that I can do.

I usually try to answer questions, but to be honest I am not sure whether I can answer that one in a way that would satisfy the hon. Gentleman. I repeat that I want the convention to be ratified as quickly as possible and the changes that would make that...

I usually try to answer questions, but to be honest I am not sure whether I can answer that one in a way that would satisfy the hon. Gentleman. I repeat that I want the convention to be ratified as quickly as possible and the changes that would make that...

A key recommendation of the original Operation Pentameter was that we needed a UK human trafficking centre that co-ordinated police activity across the country; the operation would have been unsuccessful if we had not learned that lesson. I turn to international co-operation, which the hon. Member for Oxford, West and...

A key recommendation of the original Operation Pentameter was that we needed a UK human trafficking centre that co-ordinated police activity across the country; the operation would have been unsuccessful if we had not learned that lesson. I turn to international co-operation, which the hon. Member for Oxford, West and...

Yes! Following those remarks, let me respond to some of the specific issues that hon. Members raised. On domestic workers—the issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon—we are in discussions with our colleagues dealing with immigration matters to see what can be done regarding the changed rules....

Yes! Following those remarks, let me respond to some of the specific issues that hon. Members raised. On domestic workers—the issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon—we are in discussions with our colleagues dealing with immigration matters to see what can be done regarding the changed rules....

Thank you.

Thank you.

May I say what a pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Bercow? I know the frustration that you will be feeling sitting in the Chair, rather than being allowed to contribute to the debate, as the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) said. I know that you...

May I say what a pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Bercow? I know the frustration that you will be feeling sitting in the Chair, rather than being allowed to contribute to the debate, as the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) said. I know that you...