Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether officials of her Department accept reports from dental consultants as evidence of age in cases where there is a dispute over the age of asylum seekers.

Where clear and credible documentary evidence of age is not available, criteria including physical appearance and demeanour are used as part of the interview process to assess whether a person is under 18. This can be followed where necessary by a local authority assessment, in line with case law and approved by two social workers. In addition, the person may submit a report from a dental consultant on a voluntary basis. Records are not kept centrally on the number of reports from dental consultants submitted by asylum seekers.