HC Deb 22 March 1995 vol 257 cc199-200W
Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that a national database is maintained in regard to those who commit sexual offences against children and young people.

Mr. Allason

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the introduction of a permanent register of convicted paedophiles and sex offenders; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: A comprehensive database, known as Phoenix, which will cover all reportable offences including paedophile and other sex offences, is currently being developed by the Government on behalf of the police service. It will come into service for new offences in the late spring of this year, and the transfer of existing records to the new database will be complete by mid-1996. Phoenix is a development of exceptional importance to the police service, and I believe that it will meet many of the concerns which have led to suggestions for a separate register of certain convicted sex offenders.