§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to minimise the chances that those convicted for sexual offences against children will re-offend.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Criminal Justice Act 1991 provides for sex offenders to be given custodial sentences where their conduct shows that such a sentence is necessary to protect the public from serious harm. Sex offenders can also be given longer sentences than is justified by the seriousness of the offence and extended supervision, if this is necessary for the protection of the public. Programmes to tackle the offending behaviour of those convicted of sexual offences against children are run by both the prison and probation services and are being expanded. The Government are also reviewing, and plan to extend, the arrangements for prison establishments to notify local authorities of the release of prisoners who have been convicted of offences against children.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted for sexual offences against children in the years 1990, 1991 and 1992; and what percentage of those convicted had previously committed similar offences.
§ Mr. JackTo derive information on the number of offenders who had previously committed similar offences would involve disproportionate cost. Information on the number of persons convicted of sexual offences against children in England and Wales for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 is given in the table. Figures for 1992 will not be available until the autumn. It is only possible from the information held centrally to identify sex offenders where the victim is known to be aged under 16 years.
474W
Number of persons convicted of child sex offences 1989–91 England and Wales Offence 1989 1990 1991 Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 183 189 168 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 26 18 26 Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years 406 421 351 Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years 1,657 1,537 1,469 Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years 96 110 105 Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years 262 304 223 Incest with a girl under 13 years 100 84 68 Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse 5 3 3 Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years 3 5 — Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc 1 2 2 Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years 13 8 8 Gross indecency with children 219 276 219