§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities do not list child sex abuse as a risk category; and if he will name them.
§ Mr. John PattenChild abuse registers in most areas are held by local authority social services departments on behalf of all authorities—including health authorities—and agencies. The criteria for registration should be agreed by those bodies and will therefore vary locally. The Department does not collect information about or from the registers routinely, but we know that agencies are becoming increasingly aware of the need to recognise cases of sexual abuse and act accordingly.