§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult with the Thai Government with a view to offering help in developing Thailand's programme of counter measures against child prostitution, and in particular, combating sex tourism.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe regularly raise our concerns about child prostitution in our contacts with the Thai authorities, most recently by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health. The Thai Government has taken a range of measures to stop child prostitution, and has attempted to break cross-border trade and the involvement of hill-tribe women. It is also trying to enact legislation to punish the customers, procurers and owners of brothels, rather than the prostitutes.
We continue to believe that this problem, which goes much wider than sex tourism, is best addressed by the Thais themselves but would consider supporting a suitable project under our existing aid mechanisms if we were asked for help.