To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been referred to the human trafficking national referral mechanism by local authorities in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales since 1 April 2009. (309626)

Between 1 April 2009 and 31 December 2009, the number of potential victims under 18 years of age referred into the National Referral mechanism by local authorities totals 57. This is composed of six from local authorities in Scotland, 47 from local authorities in England and four from local authorities in Wales. There have not been any referrals during this period from local authorities in Northern Ireland.