HC Deb 01 November 1976 vol 918 c452W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Attorney-General, in the light of the recent announcement relating to the established practice of the Crown Office in Scotland not to prosecute in cases of male homosexual acts where the partners are both aged over 21 years and the act took place in private with mutual consent, whether he will advise the Director of Public Prosecutions to exercise similar discretion under the law of England and Wales in cases where, although one partner or both may be aged between 16 years and 21 years, there is no doubt of both partners' consent to the act.

The Attorney-General

No. The recent announcement to which my hon. Friend refers indicates that Scottish practice is in accord with English law. My hon. Friend's proposal would create a disparity without legislative basis. Each case is in practice considered according to its circumstances.