We have had a full discussion. I am not suppressing the issues, because I know that they will come up at stage 2, when we will have more debate. You have tested the topic fully and the minister has given his response. I want to get on to other bits of the bill.
What has not been asked about in dealing with children is the presumption of age. James Wolffe QC, who is the dean of the Faculty of Advocates, quoted the European Union human trafficking directive, which he seems to know back to front—as he should. It states:
“Member States shall ensure that, where the age of a person subject to trafficking in human beings is uncertain and there are reasons to believe that the person is a child, that person is presumed to be a child in order to receive immediate access”—
this is key to what has been raised—
“to assistance, support and protection in accordance with Articles 14 and 15.”—[Official Report, Justice Committee, 24 March 2015; c 22.]
They are entitled to that whether they have a guardian, a named person or whatever the person appointed to them is called.
The evidence to the committee is that such people often do not know what age they are and they do not have any documents. Should the bill include a presumption of age section to assist agencies to work with trafficking victims?