Your question has been referred to the Ministry of Justice who have policy responsibility to this area. Any application for a pardon under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy will be considered on its merits. A pardon is normally only granted if new evidence comes to light which demonstrates conclusively that the individual is innocent.

While Dr Turing’s pardon did not meet these requirements, we believe it was appropriate to take this exceptional step to recognise the unique abilities and achievements of a very great man.

Our High Commission in Abuja have previously reported on children being accused of witchcraft in Nigeria. We are aware of various reports detailing the physical and mental damage caused by such accusations. Our officials in Nigeria, and in London, regularly meet with individuals and non-governmental organisations to discuss this.

Child abuse is appalling and unacceptable wherever it occurs and in whatever form it takes. Abuse linked to faith is an abhorrent crime, which should be condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths.

[holding answer 19 November 2012]: The organisations participating in the National Working Group on Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, including the Department, have responsibility for the work in the action plan published by the Group in August. The Group is making excellent progress in implementing the plan for little financial cost. Beyond the time spent by policy officials on this work, since 2011 the Department has spent £12,500 on a literature review, published on 24 October, to inform the discussions of the Group. Future activity, and the Department's contribution to such activity, will be considered at regular meetings of the Working Group. The Department currently has no specific plans for further expenditure on this issue, though officials will continue to spend time taking forward this important work with Group members.

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Education.

In February 2011, Ministers held a meeting with AFRUCA, the Victoria Climbié Foundation, the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, Trust for London, the Congolese Family Centre, the Metropolitan police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the London Safeguarding Children Board to discuss the child abuse relating to a belief in witchcraft and spirit possession; and to explore how the Government could work with local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and people in local areas to tackle it.

The Government created the National Working Group to Tackle Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, in order to develop practical solutions to raise awareness, develop the skills of practitioners and support local communities to tackle such abuse. The Group decided that this could most effectively be delivered by means of an action plan, setting out the problems and solutions/actions, which members could realistically take forward.

The “Empowering Practitioners” strand of the plan aims to help those on the frontline in safeguarding and wider services to be better equipped to understand and respond well to situations where abuse linked to faith or belief is anticipated or occurs. We hope with understanding of this type of abuse that practitioners should have confidence in carrying out their responsibilities in the context of different belief systems. This should help to improve assessments and interventions. Local Safeguarding Children Boards provide strategic leadership for safeguarding children in any area. We have identified that they and their partners from local authority children's services and from the police have played a key role in some areas of the country. In particular, the Metropolitan police have issued specific advice to their officers on this type of abuse.

The Working Group meets on a regular basis to report and review the progress of the members have made in implementing the action plan. It last met on 24 October 2012.

In February 2011, Ministers held a meeting with AFRUCA, the Victoria Climbié Foundation, the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, Trust for London, the Congolese Family Centre, the Metropolitan police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the London Safeguarding Children Board to discuss the child abuse relating to a belief in witchcraft and spirit possession; and to explore how the Government could work with local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and people in local areas to tackle it.

The Government created the National Working Group to Tackle Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, in order to develop practical solutions to raise awareness, develop the skills of practitioners and support local communities to tackle such abuse. The Group decided that this could most effectively be delivered by means of an action plan, setting out the problems and solutions/actions, which members could realistically take forward.

The “Empowering Practitioners” strand of the plan aims to help those on the frontline in safeguarding and wider services to be better equipped to understand and respond well to situations where abuse linked to faith or belief is anticipated or occurs. We hope with understanding of this type of abuse that practitioners should have confidence in carrying out their responsibilities in the context of different belief systems. This should help to improve assessments and interventions. Local Safeguarding Children Boards provide strategic leadership for safeguarding children in any area. We have identified that they and their partners from local authority children's services and from the police have played a key role in some areas of the country. In particular, the Metropolitan police have issued specific advice to their officers on this type of abuse.

The Working Group meets on a regular basis to report and review the progress of the members have made in implementing the action plan. It last met on 24 October 2012.

In February 2011, Ministers held a meeting with AFRUCA, the Victoria Climbié Foundation, the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, Trust for London, the Congolese Family Centre, the Metropolitan police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the London Safeguarding Children Board to discuss the child abuse relating to a belief in witchcraft and spirit possession; and to explore how the Government could work with local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and people in local areas to tackle it.

The Government created the National Working Group to Tackle Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, in order to develop practical solutions to raise awareness, develop the skills of practitioners and support local communities to tackle such abuse. The Group decided that this could most effectively be delivered by means of an action plan, setting out the problems and solutions/actions, which members could realistically take forward.

The “Empowering Practitioners” strand of the plan aims to help those on the frontline in safeguarding and wider services to be better equipped to understand and respond well to situations where abuse linked to faith or belief is anticipated or occurs. We hope with understanding of this type of abuse that practitioners should have confidence in carrying out their responsibilities in the context of different belief systems. This should help to improve assessments and interventions. Local Safeguarding Children Boards provide strategic leadership for safeguarding children in any area. We have identified that they and their partners from local authority children's services and from the police have played a key role in some areas of the country. In particular, the Metropolitan police have issued specific advice to their officers on this type of abuse.

The Working Group meets on a regular basis to report and review the progress of the members have made in implementing the action plan. It last met on 24 October 2012.

In February 2011, Ministers held a meeting with AFRUCA, the Victoria Climbié Foundation, the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, Trust for London, the Congolese Family Centre, the Metropolitan police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the London Safeguarding Children Board to discuss the child abuse relating to a belief in witchcraft and spirit possession; and to explore how the Government could work with local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and people in local areas to tackle it.

The Government created the National Working Group to Tackle Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, in order to develop practical solutions to raise awareness, develop the skills of practitioners and support local communities to tackle such abuse. The Group decided that this could most effectively be delivered by means of an action plan, setting out the problems and solutions/actions, which members could realistically take forward.

The “Empowering Practitioners” strand of the plan aims to help those on the frontline in safeguarding and wider services to be better equipped to understand and respond well to situations where abuse linked to faith or belief is anticipated or occurs. We hope with understanding of this type of abuse that practitioners should have confidence in carrying out their responsibilities in the context of different belief systems. This should help to improve assessments and interventions. Local Safeguarding Children Boards provide strategic leadership for safeguarding children in any area. We have identified that they and their partners from local authority children's services and from the police have played a key role in some areas of the country. In particular, the Metropolitan police have issued specific advice to their officers on this type of abuse.

The Working Group meets on a regular basis to report and review the progress of the members have made in implementing the action plan. It last met on 24 October 2012.