§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department has taken against international crime organisations which have been involved in the smuggling of women immigrants into the United Kingdom to work in the sex industry. [83913]
§ Mr. StrawThe National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and Immigration Service are committed to the development and dissemination of the intelligence needed to maximise disruption of these criminal enterprises and to secure arrest in as many cases as possible. During the past 12 months, a number of successful operations have been jointly undertaken targeting the racketeers which have resulted in the arrest and conviction of those involved. In addition, profiling and increased awareness have led to the interception of several groups at ports of arrival and to tighter controls over the issue of visas at British missions abroad. Trafficking in human beings is high on the agenda of the European Union; the G8; and the United Nations. My Department is represented on all the relevant working groups.