§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Wells for answer on 14 May relating to the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone (reference 41883). [47246]
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§ Mr. MichaelHome Office Court Proceedings information on the number of prosecutions for two offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 from 1986 to 1996 (latest available) is given in the table. No more detail is held about the age of the victim.
No formal guidelines have been given to the police relating to prosecutions in cases of unlawful sexual intercourse. In deciding whether to initiate criminal proceedings and to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service, the police will look carefully at the circumstances surrounding each case and will take into account the Code for Crown Prosecutors. However, the police have a duty under the Children Act 1989 to place the welfare of the child as their first priority, and this is detailed in the guidance "Working Together Under The Children Act" which sets out the arrangements for child protection in England and Wales. The Government are consulting on proposals for drawing up revised guidance.
All cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police are reviewed and prosecuted where appropriate, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
§ Dawn PrimaroloI refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) on 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 106.