§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are given to immigration officers on how to identify an unaccompanied child seeking asylum in the absence of documentary evidence about the child's age. [39857]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienImmigration officers identify unaccompanied minors by appearance and demeanour in making an initial assessment. Where there is no independent evidence of age, the burden of proof rests with the applicant to show that he/she is under 18, although the Immigration Service errs on the side of caution when age is in dispute.
There are currently no specific guidelines to immigration officers on the identification of minors, but the drafting of such guidelines is under consideration.