To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of human trafficking were notified to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last five years; and in how many cases action was taken. (116706)

The United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre, established in October 2006 is creating a United Kingdom wide database of all potential human trafficking cases encountered by law enforcement agencies. All cases notified to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are investigated and where appropriate referred to the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate Intelligence Service (INDIS) dealt with 13 major investigations into organised human trafficking since April 2002. These resulted in 17 arrests and the convictions, so far, of seven individuals. Other sections of the Home Office have also been involved in the investigation of trafficking.