HC Deb 07 November 1995 vol 265 cc824-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what records exist within his Department in respect of convicted child sex offenders who have committed such offences outside the United Kingdom; [40945]

(2) in what circumstances his Department seeks to be informed of people convicted of sex offences overseas who have served their prison sentence and have then departed to the United Kingdom. [40944]

Mr. Maclean

The national criminal intelligence service maintains a paedophile index which holds detailed intelligence based information on known active paedophiles, whether they are active in the United Kingdom or abroad. There is no formal requirement for NCIS to be notified of the convictions of people normally resident in the United Kingdom who commit child sex offences abroad, but it receives information from foreign law enforcement agencies and also from non-governmental organisations concerned about overseas paedophile activities.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the arrangements for children giving evidence in court against alleged sex offenders; and if he will make a statement. [41708]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 6 November 1995]: We keep this area of law under review. We have already done a great deal to make it easier for children to give evidence effectively and to make the experience less of an ordeal. Recent research has indicated that the provisions for children's evidence which we have introduced have been useful, particularly in reducing the level of trauma for the child. We are considering in conjunction with the other agencies involved how further practical improvements can be made.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of the report, "The Game's Up", on child prostitution. [39697]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 6 November 1995]: We share the concern of the Children's Society about child prostitution and fully support the multi-agency approach recommended by the report. We will continue to encourage all the agencies concerned to give a high priority to action to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and young people.