§ 32. Mr. Paul Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to permit the victims of rape and sexual assault to give evidence anonymously in criminal proceedings and for reports of such proceedings to be limited to the offence charged and the verdict and sentence.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI appreciate my hon. Friend's concern to protect the victims of sexual offences, but I am not persuaded that a general rule would be in the interest of justice. The court already has the power to request that the names of such victims should not be published in proper cases.