§ Mr. MacFarquharasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring into force the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonThe Act is due to come into force on 1st July, unless an earlier commencement date is specified by order. Because of the large number of requests for exemption from certain provisions of the Act which have been made to the Home Office, I do not now envisage that it will be possible for the Act to come into force earlier than 1st July. My right hon. Friend will be seeking parliamentary approval in the coming months for orders providing for any necessary modifications to the application of the Act, as I said in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) on 3rd December 1974.—[Vol. 882, c.426.]