§ 3. Viscount SANDONasked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any statement as to possible legislative action arising out of the Report of the Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Parsons, now that the Report on Youthful Offenders has been out for some time?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am not yet in a position to make any statement as to proposals for legislation. The two Reports referred to cover very wide fields, and raise various questions that require, and are receiving, careful consideration.
§ Viscount SANDONWill the right lion. Gentleman still be sitting on this question in the autumn, or can I put a further question then?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am perfectly open to sit on it in the autumn if necessary, but, as I intend to devote most of my exiguous holiday to the study of these Reports, I hope it will not be necessary.
§ Mr. BUCHANANHas the right hon. Gentleman come to any conclusion as to whether a Bill of this kind should include Scotland; and is he consulting the Secretary of State for Scotland on this subject?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSObviously, I cannot say, until I have arrived at a considered opinion upon the Reports, whether it is desirable to extend the operation of the Bill to Scotland.