HL Deb 25 January 1999 vol 596 cc127-8WA
Baroness Gould of Potternewton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set out the terms of reference for the review of sex offences they are undertaking. [HL690]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The intention to review sex offences and penalties was announced by Alun Michael, then Minister of State for the Home Office, on 15 June 1998. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has today published the terms of reference of this review. Copies of a consultation leaflet describing the review and inviting views to inform of its work have been placed in the Library.

The terms of reference of the review are:

"To review the sex offences in the common and statute law of England and Wales, and make recommendations that will:

  • Provide coherent and clear sex offences which protect individuals, especially children and the more vulnerable, from abuse and exploitation;
  • Enable abusers to be appropriately punished; and
  • Be fair and non-discriminatory in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and Human Rights Act".

The review will be conducted by a steering group of officials from relevant departments and expert advisers. This group will have the benefit of advice from an External Reference Group made up of individuals and organisations with experience, expertise and opinions on a range of issues relevant to the consideration of sex offences. The review should take about a year to complete its work and its recommendations will form the basis of a consultation paper.