asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will refrain from conducting any pilot studies of the use of dental X-rays as an aid to age determination of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors, in view of the statement by the British Dental Association on the shortcomings of these procedures. [HL1661]

We will shortly publish a consultation paper that will contain proposals for the reform of the immigration and support system for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. The views of expert professionals, including the British Dental Association, will form an important part of the consultation process.