§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps he plans to take to curb crimes of violence and sexual attacks. [35055]
§ Mr. MacleanOn 17 June my right hon. and learned Friend announced proposals, in a consultation paper on the supervision and sentencing of sex offenders, which are designed to improve protection from such offenders and to enhance opportunities for their treatment. In addition, the recently published White Paper, "Protecting the Public", makes new proposals on sentencing which seek to ensure that the public receive proper protection from persistent violent or sex offenders.
My right hon. and learned Friend has, further, established as one of the key national objectives for the police in 1996–97 a target to maintain, and where possible increase, the number of detections for violent crime.
Interdepartmental groups of Ministers and of officials are also due to meet shortly to review and develop initiatives aimed at promoting more co-ordinated national and local responses to the problems associated with domestic violence.
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