Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer of Lord Murray of Blidworth on 21 November (HL3244), whether they plan to publish the report of the independent Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee.

In December 2021, the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Home Office set up an independent Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee to provide her with independent scientific and associated ethical advice, recommendations for best practice and advice relating to issues raised by key stakeholders on the implementation of scientific methods of age assessment.

We have always been clear that any decision to implement scientific methods of age assessment would be subject to independent scientific advice. No official decisions have been made about if and how to implement scientific methods.