§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to review the current maximum penalties for sex offences.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)My right honourable friend has decided, in consultation with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, to undertake a review of the existing maximum penalties for sex offenders. The object of the review will be to identify any anomalies in existing penalties, and to ensure that penalties properly reflect the comparative gravity of different offences.