§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2002, Ref 55286, on cross-border information sharing on child sex offenders and child abusers, for what reason confidentiality will be maintained for the protocols being developed. [59230]
§ Jane KennedyConfidentiality is maintained because sex offenders and child abusers are often skilled at evading detection. Combating them is the priority and it is considered that to make public procedures, protocols and arrangements would have a detrimental effect on the ability to monitor and manage risk.