§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress is being made with the programme of criminal law reform announced by Her Majesty's Government in July, 1967.
§ Mr. TaverneThe Theft Bill is now before Parliament. The Criminal Law Revision Committee has made much progress in its reviews of the law of criminal evidence and of common law misdemeanours. As soon as its other commitments allow, my right hon. Friend will ask it to review the law on sexual offences, and the law on offences against the person, including homicide.
The Law Commission, with the assistance of a Working Party, has begun an examination of the general principles of the criminal law. In addition, the Commission has started reviews of extraterritorial jurisdiction in criminal offences, and of the specific offences of malicious damage to property, and bigamy and offences against the marriage law; and, as part of its Second Programme, the Commission is also to review the offences of forgery and perjury.
A start has been made within the Home Office in examining the law and practice relating to powers of arrest and search.