§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what provision there is for the psychiatric assessment of persons convicted of stalking under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; [104038]
(2) if he will issue guidance to police forces on improving communications with the victims of stalking; and if he will make a statement; [104039]
(3) if he will make a statement on the notification to (a) the police and (b) the courts of changes of name or address by persons subject to a restraining order under section 5 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. [104041]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeAnyone convicted of an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 is entitled to seek psychiatric help voluntarily, but the Act itself makes no provision for the court to compel anyone to seek such an assessment.
I have commissioned research into the effectiveness of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and will respond to any recommendations for changing the Act once I have seen the report. I have no plans to make a statement on this subject before that time.