§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What effect the Sexual Offences Bill will have on Northern Ireland. [HL1761]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Bill will extend to Northern Ireland the measures determining the notification requirements for sex offenders. The extension of this part of the Bill follows a Home Office-led review of Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1997, which included Northern Ireland within its scope. In addition, a number of the new offences in Part 1 of the Bill will also be extended to ensure that the registration requirements can operate on an equal basis with the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Sexual Offences Bill will achieve gender neutrality for Northern Ireland in the same way as for England and Wales; and, if not, what are their reasons for treating Northern Ireland differently. [HL1762]
§ Lord Williams of MostynPart 1 of the Sexual Offences Bill will not extend to Northern Ireland in its entirety. The reform of sex offences in England and Wales is being undertaken following a review of the law in that jurisdiction. As that review did not include Northern Ireland within its scope, substantive reform of the body of law on sex offences in Northern Ireland will not be carried out until a review, and appropriate consultation, has taken place. The issue of gender specific offences will form part of that review and reform. In the meantime, consideration is being given to ways of addressing issues concerning offences which target only homosexual activity.