Ministers consider prostitution ban

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The Government is studying the law in Sweden, where paying for sex has already been made illegal.

Ms Harman, Labour's deputy leader and the Leader of the Commons, said she is convinced that such a move is necessary to stem demand for sex workers trafficked into Britain.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think we do need to have a debate and unless you tackle the demand side of human trafficking which is fuelling this trade, we will not be able to protect women from it.

"That is what they've done in Sweden. My own personal view is that's what we need to do as a next step."

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and junior women's minister Barbara Follett will be visiting Sweden and Amsterdam.

Ms Harman added: "Do we think it's right in the 21st century that women should be in a sex trade or do we think it's exploitation and should be banned?

"Just because something has always gone on, it doesn't mean you just wring your hands and say there's nothing we can do about it."

The move follows talks with newspapers over small advertisements offering services at brothels believed to be linked to human trafficking.

Ms Harman said there was to be new guidance from the Newspaper Society next month which would address that issue. "I think that the new guidance will stop those ads. But the next question is - can we really stop this trade when we've still got a lawful sex trade going on?"