HC Deb 12 May 1998 vol 312 c58W
Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to introduce legislation for Northern Ireland containing provisions similar to those of the Crime and Disorder Bill[Lords]. [40635]

Mr. Ingram

Different local administrative and legislative arrangements limit the applicability of much of the Crime and Disorder Bill to Northern Ireland. However, a small number of provisions will be introduced to Northern Ireland by means of a negative resolution clause in the Bill. These are the sex offender order, the drug treatment and testing order, TV links for pre-trial hearings, the abolition ofdoli incapax and powers for youth courts to deal with unrelated charges. In addition, should Parliament decide to retain the clause, introduced in the House of Lords, which abolishes the death penalty in respect of treason and piracy, then the relevant legislation in respect of Northern Ireland will be repealed by the Bill.

The potential impact of the remaining provisions will be assessed, taking account of experience in England and Wales, in order to determine whether similar measures should be incorporated in future Northern Ireland legislation.

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