Sexual Exploitation of Children: UK Statement

HL Deb 16 April 1996 vol 571 c67WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 25th–26th April 1996 to make a statement on the sexual exploitation of children, and if so whether they will place copies of the statement in the Libraries of Parliament.

Baroness Blatch

The meeting at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 25th–26th April is a planning meeting for the World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, which will be held in Stockholm on 27th–31st August. The April meeting will not therefore be an occasion for national statements as such. There is, of course, no question but that the sexual exploitation of children is utterly deplorable, no matter where it occurs, and the Government share the widespread concern to see an end to the use of children in prostitution and pornography.