§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men were sentenced in 1989 to terms of custody, in prisons or young offenders institutions for sexual offences; and how many of these were sentenced for homosexual buggery, soliciting, indecency and procuring where there was either explicit consent by the parties concerned or an absence of coercion, threats or intimidation.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation requested is given in the table. Data as to whether consent was given or there was 251W an absence of coercion, threats or intimidation by the offender is available centrally only where lack of consent is an element of the offence.
Number of males sentenced to immediate imprisonment for certain sexual offences—1989 England and Wales Immediate Custody Offence Young Offender Institution Unsuspended and Partly Suspended Sentence of Imprisonment All Sexual Offences 223 2,137 Buggery with consent — 10 Buggery without consent 11 167 Soliciting by a man1 1 5 Indecency between males 3 20 Procuring of males — 3 1 Data does not distinguish as to whether males or females have been solicited or importuned by male offenders.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether men imprisoned for consenting homosexual behaviour will be required to undergo the Government's proposed programme of treatment and supervision of sex offenders.
§ Mrs. RumboldSubject to the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 and the general criminal law, a homosexual act in private is not an offence provided that the parties consent thereto and have attained the age of 21 years. In the structured programmes to be introduced in certain prisons, priority will be given to those offenders who are likely to represent the greatest risk to the community on release.