§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of missing children from children's homes have been investigated by the police since 1970; how many had led to the missing children being traced; and how many are currently under investigation. [129768]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere is no evidence of such information having been recorded or held centrally. The information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. However, we have accepted the recommendations of the Waterhouse Report which identified the need for the police and care homes to create a record of missing children. We will take forward the recommendations through an inter-agency review of best practice in conducting complex abuse investigations. A Review Group is being established to take forward this work, 665W bringing together representatives from the Home Office, Department of Health, Local Government Association, Association of Directors of Social Services and the Association of Chief Police Officers.