Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) ethical and (b) scientific considerations of the use of x-rays of verify the age of child refugees.

In December 2021, the Home Office set up an independent Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee to provide the Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser with independent advice – including scientific and associated ethical advice and guidance on existing and emerging scientific approaches that could be utilised for the purpose of age assessment. We are considering advice from this Committee and other sources. No official decisions have been made about if and how to implement scientific methods.

The use of X-rays specifically is regulated by the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004, which requires that any practices involving the use of ionising radiation be justified on the basis that the individual or societal benefit of that practice outweighs the health detriment it may cause. Any use of X-rays for age assessment purposes will therefore be contingent on the appropriate approvals being met under these regulations.