HL Deb 26 June 2000 vol 614 cc58-9WA
Baroness Goudie

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to review the provisions of Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, what form the review will take; and over what period it will take place. [HL3036]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Home Office, Mr Clarke, is happy to be able to announce that the Government are establishing a review of Part I 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 examine a wide range of aspects of Part I of the Act and will include consultation with other government departments, non-governmental organisations and the general public. I anticipate that the steering group will report to Ministers at the end of the year.