X-Rays: Child Refugees

Debate between Baroness Prashar and Lord Murray of Blidworth

Tuesday 6th December 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Prashar]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ethical considerations of the use of X-rays to determine the age of child refugees seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Murray of Blidworth) (Con)]

The Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser convened an independent age estimation science advisory committee to provide the department with independent advice on the ethics and implementation of different scientific approaches to age assessment. No official decisions have been made on the use of scientific methods, and the use of X-rays specifically would need to be independently justified and approved under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004.

[Baroness Prashar (CB)]

I thank the Minister for that Answer, but can he say when the report will be completed and published?

[Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con)]

The report is still under evaluation. I am afraid there is no estimate at the moment for the production of the report.