HC Deb 27 November 1979 vol 974 cc588-9W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied with the present working of the Sexual Offences Act 1967;

(2) whether he will consider seeking to reduce the age of consent for homosexuals from 21 to 16 years;

(3) whether he will consider seeking to amend the law relating to homosexual offences, in view of the large number of convictions for consensual behaviour.

Mr. Brittan

The Criminal Law Revision Committee is undertaking a review of the law on sexual offences, including the matters to which the hon. Member has drawn attention, in consultation with the policy advisory committee on sexual offences. The Government think it right to await the outcome of this review before considering any changes in this area of the law.