HC Deb 04 February 1987 vol 109 c681W
Sir Fergus Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the problems related to allegations of child sex abuse in the case of mentally handicapped children and the difficulties in bringing these allegations before the courts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

My right hon. Friend's reply on 18 December 1986 to questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) and for Slough (Mr. Watts),Official Report, c. 645–46, outlined action to improve the likelihood of prosecution and conviction in cases of sexual abuse of children. We fully appreciate that when the child is mentally handicapped, there are extra difficulties. We are not, however, persuaded that any changes to the law could be made specifically in respect of mentally handicapped children which would be consistent with justice for the accused.