HC Deb 12 June 2000 vol 351 cc707-11

'(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. Lidington

I 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 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. Boateng

We 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 Beresford

An 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. Boateng

There 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. Lidington

I 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.

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.

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