§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take in response to resolution 1099 (1996) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe concerning the sexual exploitation of children; and if he will make a statement. [2746]
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§ Mr. MacleanThe Government are studying the terms of the recommendation, which appears broadly in line with the agenda for action adopted by the world congress against the commercial sexual exploitation of children, held in Stockholm last August. The United Kingdom played a leading role at the congress, and in encouraging other states to adopt the agenda and to bring their law and procedures into line with its requirements.
Stringent laws already exist in this country in regard both to the sexual abuse of children and to child pornography. Legislation planned for this Session of Parliament will extend that protection further by giving Untied Kingdom courts jurisdiction over acts of child sex abuse committed abroad by British nationals or residents, and by requiring paedophiles and other serious sex offenders to register changes of name and address with the police.