HC Deb 03 July 2000 vol 353 cc13-4W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000,Official Report, column 256W, on child support, if the new criminal offences for providing false information will apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement. [128153]

Angela Eagle

It would not be appropriate under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights for such provisions to have retrospective effect, allowing prosecution for an act or omission which was not a criminal offence at the time it was committed.