§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 20 January (WA 105–106), whether they will ask chief constables to inform them whether child prostitution and the exploitation of children for pornography appear to be significant in their areas, given the importance of such information for the formulation of the National Plan concerning child abuse. [HL668]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThere are no plans at present to ask chief constables to inform the Government specifically whether child prostitution and the exploitation of children for pornography appear to be significant in their areas. The Crime and Disorder 185WA Act 1998 requires police and local authorities to carry out audits of crime and disorder in their areas. Child prostitution and the exploitation of children for pornography should appear in the audits if they are significant local problems.
The National Plan we are developing will put the wide range of work the Government are undertaking to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children within a coherent framework. The contents of the plan have yet to be agreed but it will include the action we are taking to combat the problems of child prostitution and child pornography. We will consult interested organisations about the contents of the plan in March.