§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were convicted in the United Kingdom as common prostitutes in each of the last 10 years. [19062]
§ Mr. MacleanThe available information for England and Wales is given in table A.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has contributed figures shown at table B.
Information on convictions in Scotland are the responsibility for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
proceedings are taken against those who abuse children and young people as suppliers or purchasers of child prostitutes. [19091]
§ Mr. MacleanThe institution of criminal proceedings is a matter for the police and the prosecuting authorities. The Government regard the abuse of children in prostitution as a serious matter and are satisfied that all working in this field share that concern.
The Government are currently reviewing the penalties available for all sex offences, including those relating to the organisation of prostitution, to ensure that these are adequate to reflect the gravity of the behaviour concerned.