HL Deb 22 March 1982 vol 428 c913WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the Home Secretary's decision that the use of X-ray examinations to assess the age of immigrants should cease, they will withdraw explanatory statements by entry certificate officers referring to any such examinations already conducted, and if they will refer to the tribunal any cases already decided by adjudicators where such examinations were used in evidence.

Lord Belstead

No. As a result of our recent decision, entry clearance officers and Home Office presenting officers have been instructed not to adduce evidence of age based on bone X-rays. Since the advice previously given to them was to adduce such evidence only when there was other evidence of age based on a clinical examination of the physical characteristics of the individual, we see no need for further steps of the kind proposed.