§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the current maximum penalties for sex offences. [11766]
§ Mr. HowardI have decided, in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, to undertake a review of the existing maximum penalties for sex offenders. The object of the review will be to identify any anomalies in existing penalties, and to ensure that penalties properly reflect the comparative gravity of different offences.