§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many responses they have received commenting on the proposals in the consultation paper Sentencing and Supervision of Sex Offenders.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)We have received 238 formal responses to the consultation paper. In general, there was strong support for all the proposals canvassed. Not all respondents commented on all five proposals outlined in the consultation paper. Of those who did, 94 per cent. were in favour of extended supervision for convicted sex offenders released from prison; 82 per cent. were in favour of DNA testing of convicted sex offenders still serving a prison sentence who have not already been DNA tested; 87 per cent. supported a requirement for convicted sex offenders to notify the police of their address and any subsequent change thereto; 87 per cent. also supported the proposal to make it an offence for convicted sex offenders to seek employment with children; and 91 per cent. supported the proposal for a supervised access regime for victim statements and photographs in sex cases.
We have considered all these responses carefully. The Crime (Sentences) Bill, published on 25th October 1996 contains provision for the extended supervision of sex offenders after their release from custody.
Our aim is to bring forward other proposals for legislation when suitable opportunities arrive.