Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of erasing prostitution-specific criminal records.

The issue of erasing prostitution-specific criminal records was raised in the Home Affairs Select Committee report on prostitution. However, as set out in the Government response, we believe that a greater understanding of the prevalence and nature of prostitution in England and Wales is required prior to considering further changes to policy and legislation.

The Home Office has committed £150,000 to commission this research.