HC Deb 01 April 1998 vol 309 cc561-2W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of prosecutions of(a) heterosexuals below the age of 16 years and (b) homosexuals below the age of 18 years for breaching the legal age of sexual consent in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement. [36810]

Mr. McLeish

The available information is shown in the table.

Number of young persons proceeded against for selected offences in Scotland: 1993–1996
Main offence 1993 1994 1995 1996
Persons aged under 16 proceeded against under section 5 of the1995 Act1 0 0 0 2
Persons aged under 18 proceeded against under section 13(5)(c) of the 1995 Act2 0 0 0 0
1 The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995: Section 5—Sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 years (including attempts), or equivalent earlier legislation.
2 The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995: Section 13(5)(c)—committing, or being party to the commission of, or procuring or attempting to procure the commission of a homosexual act with a person under the age of 18 years, or equivalent earlier legislation.