To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department’s policy is with regard to (a) the (i) finger-printing and (ii) taking of (A) DNA and (B) other biometric information from children (1) under the age of 10 years, (2) between the ages of 10 and 16 years and (3) over 16 years but under 19 years without the consent of their parents or legal guardians and (b) the retention of that biometric information by Government organisations. (85046)

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 504W.