Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of children travelling to (a) Poland, (b) Turkey, (c) Florida and (d) other countries for gender reassignment surgery in each of the last three years.  [20914]

[Due for Answer on 7 January. Answered on 21 January.]

ANSWER 

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship (Seema Malhotra): The requested data is not centrally held. However, Border Force has a duty under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

We take this duty very seriously and are committed to protecting vulnerable children who cross the border.

All new Border Force entrants receive safeguarding training as part of their induction course. Once established, all Border Force Officers and managers have continuing training and knowledge refresh obligations.

Where concerns are raised, officers will take action to safeguard individuals who could be at risk.