Fiona McTaggart MP has proposed prostitution 'intolerance zones'.
An MP has proposed to introduce prostitution 'intolerance zones', where paying for sex would be banned.
Paying for sex is not currently unlawful. But under plans put forward by Labour backbencher, Fiona McTaggart, the practice could be outlawed for certain designated areas.
If a person is caught paying for sex within the 'intolerance zone', a magistrate could issue an order banning the individual from paying for sex anywhere. Breaching the order would be a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of £1,000.
The proposal comes as an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which will pass through its final stages in the House of Commons in January.
Meanwhile, Government minister Harriet Harman has told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme "we do need to have a debate" on whether to outlaw paying for sex.
"I think that unless we tackle the demand side of human trafficking which is fuelling this trade we'll not be able to protect women from it. That is what they have done in Sweden and my own personal view is that is what we need to do as a next step," she said.
She appealed to community bodies, including churches and faith groups, to work with the Government on this issue.
The Government is sending Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and junior women's minister Barbara Follett on a fact finding mission to Sweden and Amsterdam to see how they tackle the problem.
Sweden has a complete ban on paying for sex and Amsterdam recently closed one third of brothels in a bid to clean up its notorious red light district.
