To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on their provision of support for vulnerable children suspected of having been trafficked under (a) section 20 and (b) section 17 of the Children Act 1989; and if he will make a statement. (291034)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: My noble Friend, Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, met officials from the London borough of Hillingdon in March this year to discuss work they are undertaking on child trafficking at Heathrow airport in partnership with the Metropolitan police. She is also a member of the Inter Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking, which meets regularly to discuss such issues. It is for each local authority to shape the services they provide to meet the needs of their local population. Where a local authority identifies a child who requires support, including those that have been trafficked, they are then responsible for identifying appropriate services to meet their needs, including being kept safe from any likely significant harm.