§ Mr. HopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the provisions of Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997; what form the review will take; and over what period it will take place. [127846]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI am happy to be able to announce that the Government are establishing a review of Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997. Officials will shortly be setting up a small steering group, which will direct the review and undertake a consultation process. Research to be published shortly on the effectiveness of the Act will provide an important, but not exclusive, background for the review. The review will examine396W a wide range of aspects of Part 1 of the Act and will include consultation with other Government Departments, non-government organisations and the general public. I anticipate that the steering group will report to Ministers at the end of the year.