§ Baroness Ludfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken both to combat trafficking in human beings and to protect the victims of trafficking; and how such measures will be strengthened following the agreement in the European Union Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on 6 November on a Directive providing temporary residence permits for victims to co-operate with prosecutions and receive assistance. [HL5485]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Government are committed to ensuring that stronger measures are in place to penalise people who traffic in human beings. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 introduced a new offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling prostitution with a maximum penalty of 14 years. This offence came into force 10 February 2003. More comprehensive offences covering trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation are included in the new Sexual Offences. Bill, and an offence covering trafficking for labour exploitation will be introduced when parliamentary time permits.
We are working to support the victims of human trafficking. A pilot scheme for adult victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation was launched in March this year. The scheme is being delivered in conjunction with Eaves Housing, and provides victims with an allocated support worker, access to short-term housing, counselling and health, translation and legal services. In addition, Project Reflex, set up in May 2000, brings together the key agencies to tackle organised immigration crime, including people trafficking. An example of the success of this initiative is Project Reflex Romania, which has identified 105 criminal organisations and arrested 67 persons, of whom 20 have faced charges.
While we are committed to combating the trafficking of human beings, we feel that the proposed European directive on the short-term residence permits for the victims of trafficking will be abused. This in turn would have a detrimental effect on the resources available to investigate and prosecute those who are involved in this abhorrent trade. It would also undermine our efforts to remove those that have entered illegally, and have no legitimate right to remain. It is for these reasons we did not opt in to this directive.
254WANotwithstanding the decision not to opt in to this directive, every effort has been made to shape the progress of the directive to overcome our concerns. It is of course still open to the United Kingdom to opt in once the directive is implemented, and we intend to review our decision fully at that point. The directive is still subject to French and Dutch scrutiny reservations, and will need to be referred back to the European Parliament before implementation.