§ '(1) In section 2(1), section 2(2) and section 2(7) of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, for the words '14 days' there shall be substituted the words '48 hours'.'—[Mr. Lidington.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Mr. LidingtonI beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
The new clause would require sex offenders to notify the police of a change of address within 48 hours of their changing address rather than within the 14 days that the law currently permits. It would target the paedophiles whom the police have encountered and who travel around the country. For example, they travel along canal routes, never staying in one location for 14 days. That has meant that they have found ways in which to escape registration even though their history of paedophile offending means that they should be registered. In effect, they become invisible to the law.
By reducing the registration time to 48 hours, the police and other agencies will be able to keep an eye on paedophiles more easily and hinder their ability to escape 708 the law. Given that paedophiles are more likely than other offenders to become repeat criminals, it is absolutely vital that we keep track of those who have been caught and convicted before.
§ Mr. BoatengWe have much sympathy with the thinking behind new clause 8, which is clearly intended to strengthen the protection of the public. Research into the operational effectiveness of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will be published this summer. I have several concerns, as I suspect other hon. Members have, about how the Act has worked in practice, and the new clause relates to one of them. We will launch a policy review of the Act which will consider those findings and other relevant issues. It will take into account the views of a wide range of organisations, including children's charities and the police, and we believe that it would be premature to amend the Act in advance of that consultation. It also does not make much sense in our view to consider that one aspect of the Act in isolation, when we have indicated our intention of conducting a more thoroughgoing review.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAn additional point is that a period of 14 days allows the predatory paedophile the opportunity to "groom" his clients—as he would put it—and 48 hours would make that exceedingly difficult.
§ Mr. BoatengThere is much strength in the argument that 14 days is too long. However, my point is that other concerns arise from the Sex Offenders Act 1997 in relation, for instance, to aspects of foreign travel and people who have committed offences overseas. They need to be considered in the round and I have no doubt that in due course, a basket of proposals will be made as a result of the research and consultation that will lead to later amendment of the Act. This issue may be one of them, and I request that the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) does not press the new clause, pending the outcome of the research into the workings of the Act. It is worth celebrating the fact that we have the Act in place and that we achieve a good rate of compliance, in the sense that 97 per cent.—at the last count—of sex offenders comply with the registration requirement. That has helped to change the climate and the culture in terms of the police and the other child protection agencies working together to identify and keep tabs on that group of people who, as the supporters of the new clause recognise, are predatory and guileful, and require careful monitoring. With that assurance, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw the new clause.
§ Mr. LidingtonI am grateful for the Minister's sympathetic response. However, the situation is that there is an acknowledged loophole in the law. The Government have said that they are embarking on a review of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, but in this matter we should err on the side of caution and protecting young people. Let us change the law tonight, plug the loophole and let the Government conduct their review on that basis, with good will from all sides. I intend to press the new clause to a vote.
§ Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 151, Noes 261.
711| Division No. 225] | [8.13pm |
| AYES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey) | Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) |
| Amess, David | Hunter, Andrew |
| Ancram, Rt Hon Michael | Jack, Rt Hon Michael |
| Arbuthnot, Rt Hon James | Jackson, Robert (Wantage) |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Jenkin, Bernard |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mth E) | Key, Robert |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Kirkbride, Miss Julie |
| Baldry, Tony | Laing, Mrs Eleanor |
| Ballard, Jackie | Lait, Mrs Jacqui |
| Bell, Martin (Tatton) | Lansley, Andrew |
| Bercow, John | Letwin, Oliver |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Lidington, David |
| Blunt, Crispin | Lilley, Rt Hon Peter |
| Boswell, Tim | Lloyd, Rt Hon Sir Peter (Fareham) |
| Bottomley, Peter (Worthing W) | Loughton, Tim |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Mrs Virginia | Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas |
| Brady, Graham | MacGregor, Rt Hon John |
| Brake, Tom | McIntosh, Miss Anne |
| Brand, Dr Peter | Maclean, Rt Hon David |
| Breed, Colin | Maclennan, Rt Hon Robert |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Browning, Mrs Angela | Malins, Humfrey |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Maples, John |
| Burns, Simon | Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian |
| Cable, Dr Vincent | May, Mrs Theresa |
| Cash, William | Moore, Michael |
| Chapman, Sir Sydney (Chipping Barnet) | Moss, Malcolm |
| Nicholls, Patrick | |
| Chidgey, David | Norman, Archie |
| Clappison, James | Ottaway, Richard |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rayleigh) | Page, Richard |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Rushcliffe) | Paice, James |
| Paterson, Owen | |
| Collins, Tim | Pickles, Eric |
| Cormack, Sir Patrick | Prior, David |
| Cotter, Brian | Randall, John |
| Cran, James | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Curry, Rt Hon David | Rendel, David |
| Davey, Edward (Kingston) | Robathan, Andrew |
| Davies, Quentin (Grantham) | Robertson, Laurence |
| Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice) | Rowe, Andrew (Faversham) |
| Day, Stephen | Ruffley, David |
| Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen | Russell, Bob (Colchester) |
| Duncan Smith, Iain | St Aubyn, Nick |
| Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Evans, Nigel | Shephard, Rt Hon Mrs Gillian |
| Faber, David | Shepherd, Richard |
| Fallon, Michael | Simpson, Keith (Mid—Norfolk) |
| Flight, Howard | Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns) |
| Forth, Rt Hon Eric | Soames, Nicholas |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Spelman, Mrs Caroline |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Spicer, Sir Michael |
| Fox, Dr Liam | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Gale, Roger | Steen, Anthony |
| Garnier, Edward | Streeter, Gary |
| Gibb, Nick | Stunell, Andrew |
| Gidley, Sandra | Swayne, Desmond |
| Gill, Christopher | Syms, Robert |
| Gorman, Mrs Teresa | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Gray, James | Taylor, Ian (Esher & Walton) |
| Green, Damian | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Greenway, John | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Grieve, Dominic | Taylor, Sir Teddy |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie | Thomas, Simon (Ceredigion) |
| Hammond, Philip | Tonge, Dr Jenny |
| Hawkins, Nick | Tredinnick, David |
| Hayes, John | Trend, Michael |
| Heald, Oliver | Tyrie, Andrew |
| Heath, David (Somerton & Frome) | Walter, Robert |
| Heathcoat—Amory, Rt Hon David | Waterson, Nigel |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas | Webb, Steve |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Wells, Bowen |
| Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot) | Welsh, Andrew |
| Whitney, Sir Raymond | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Whittingdale, John | |
| Wigley, Rt Hon Dafydd | |
| Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Winterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield) | Mr. Peter Luff and |
| Yeo, Tim | Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Donohoe, Brian H |
| Ainger, Nick | Doran, Frank |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Dowd, Jim |
| Ashton, Joe | Drew, David |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) |
| Austin, John | Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) |
| Bayley, Hugh | Efford, Clive |
| Beard, Nigel | Ellman, Mrs Louise |
| Benn, Hilary (Leeds C) | Ennis, Jeff |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony (Chesterfield) | Etherington, Bill |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Field, Rt Hon Frank |
| Benton, Joe | Fisher, Mark |
| Best, Harold | Fitzpatrick, Jim |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna |
| Blizzard, Bob | Flint, Caroline |
| Boateng, Rt Hon Paul | Flynn, Paul |
| Borrow David | Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings) |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Foster, Michael J (Worcester) |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Galloway, George |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Gardiner, Barry |
| Bradshaw, Ben | Gerrard, Neil |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Gibson, Dr Ian |
| Browne, Desmond | Godman Dr Norman A |
| Burden, Richard | Godsiff, Roger |
| Butler, Mrs Christine | Goggins, Paul |
| Cabom, Rt Hon Richard | Gorton, Mrs Eileen |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) |
| Caplin, Ivor | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Caton, Martin | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Cawsey, Ian | Grocott, Bruce |
| Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) | Grogan, John |
| Chaytor, David | Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) |
| Clapham, Michael | Hall, Patrick (Bedford) |
| Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) | Hanson, David |
| Clark, Dr Lynda (Edingburgh Pentlands) | Heal, Mrs Sylvia |
| Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) | |
| Clark, Paul (Gillingham) | Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) |
| Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) | Heppell, John |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) | Hill, Keith |
| Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) | Hinchliffe, David |
| Clelland, David | Hoey, Kate |
| Clwyd, Ann | Hoon, Rt Hon Geoffrey |
| Coaker, Vernon | Hope, Phil |
| Coffey, Ms Ann | Hopkins, Kelvin |
| Coleman, Iain | Howarth, George (Knowsley N) |
| Colman, Tony | Howells, Dr Kim |
| Connarty, Michael | Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton N) | Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) |
| Cooper, Yvette | Humble Mrs Joan |
| Corbett, Robin | Hurst, Alan |
| Hutton, John | |
| Corston, Jean | Iddon, Dr Brian |
| Cousins, Jim | Illsley, Eric |
| Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) | Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead) |
| Cryer, John (Hornchurch) | Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) |
| Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) | Jamieson, David |
| Curtis—Thomas, Mrs Claire | Jenkins, Brian |
| Dalyell, Tam | Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Darling, Rt Hon Alistair | |
| Darvill, Keith | Jones Helen (Warrington N) |
| Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) | Jones, Ms Jenny (Wolverh'ton SW) |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | |
| Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) | Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) |
| Dawson, Hilton | Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) |
| Dean, Mrs Janet | Keeble, Ms Sally |
| Denham, John | Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) |
| Dobbin, Jim | Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth) |
| Kemp, Fraser | Raynstord, Nick |
| Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) | Reid, Rt Hon Dr John (Hamilton N) |
| Khabra, Piara S | Roche, Mrs Barbara |
| Kidney, David | Rooker, Rt Hon Jeff |
| Kumar, Dr Ashok | Rooney, Terry |
| Ladyman, Dr Stephen | Ross, Emie (Dundee W) |
| Lawrence, Mrs Jackie | Rowlands, Ted |
| Lepper, David | Ruddock, Joan |
| Leslie, Christopher | Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) |
| Levitt, Tom | Ryan, Ms Joan |
| Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) | Salter, Martin |
| Lewis, Terry (Worsley) | Savidge, Malcolm |
| Love, Andrew | Sedgemore, Brian |
| McAllion, John | Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Singh, Marsha |
| McCabe, Steve | Skinner, Dennis |
| McCafferty, Ms Chris | Smith, Angela (Basildon) |
| McCartney, Rt Hon Ian (Makerfield) | Smith, Miss Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale) |
| McDonagh, Siobhain | Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) |
| McDonnell, John | Squire, Ms Rachel |
| McGuire, Mrs Anne | Starkey, Dr Phyllis |
| McIsaac, Shona | Steinberg, Gerry |
| McKenna, Mrs Rosemary | Stevenson, George |
| Mackinlay, Andrew | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| McNulty, Tony | Stoate, Dr Howard |
| MacShane, Denis | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| McWilliam, John | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Mahon, Mrs Alice | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Mallaber, Judy | |
| Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) | Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S) |
| Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) | Temple—Morris, Peter |
| Marshall—Andrews, Robert | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Martlew, Eric | Timms, Stephen |
| Meale, Alan | Tipping, Paddy |
| Merron, Gillian | Todd, Mark |
| Michael, Rt Hon Alun | Touhig, Don |
| Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) | Trickett, Jon |
| Miller, Andrew | Truswell, Paul |
| Mitchell, Austin | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown) |
| Moran, Ms Margaret | Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) |
| Morley, Elliot | Turner, Neil (Wigan) |
| Mountford, Kali | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| Mudie, George | Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) |
| Mullin, Chris | Walley, Ms Joan |
| Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) | Ward, Ms Claire |
| Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) | Wareing, Robert N |
| Naysmith, Dr Doug | Watts, David |
| Norris, Dan | White, Brian |
| Olner, Bill | Whitehead, Dr Alan |
| Organ, Mrs Diana | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Osborne, Ms Sandra | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W) |
| Pearson, Ian | |
| Pickthall, Colin | Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen) |
| Pike, Peter L | Wills, Michael |
| Plaskitt, James | Wilson, Brian |
| Pollard, Kerry | Winnick, David |
| Pond, Chris | Wood, Mike |
| Pope, Greg | Woodward Shaun |
| Pound, Stephen | Worthington, Tony |
| Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) | Wray, James |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth) |
| Primarolo, Dawn | Wright, Dr Tony (Cannock) |
| Prosser, Gwyn | Wyatt, Derek |
| Purchase, Ken | |
| Quin, Rt Hon Ms Joyce | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Quinn, Lawrie | Mr. Graham Allen and |
| Radice, Rt Hon Giles | Mr. Robert Ainsworth |
§ Question accordingly negatived.