Rehabilitation of Offenders

HC Deb 09 July 1997 vol 297 cc468-9W

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend SI 1975/1023 relating to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [6925]

Mr. Michael

I expect to lay a new Exceptions Order before the House by the end of this year. This will replace SI 1975/1023, rationalise the present categories of exceptions and include those new ones that meet the criteria ofnational security; the protection of particularly vulnerable members of society, such as the handicapped, elderly, young or sick; maintaining confidence in the administration of the law and in certain licensing systems; and ensuring probity in the areas of banking and financial services.

Consultations are now under way on all outstanding requests for new categories of exceptions.