AGE OF CONSENT

Early day motion 1176, tabled 23 November 2000 by Gerald Howarth (Conservative). Signed by 10 members.

That this House notes that in the Other Place Her Majesty's Government arranged for consideration in Committee of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill to be taken seven months after its second reading; notes that Sir Keith Waterhouse in his report into child abuse in North Wales warned Parliament of the risks posed to boys by lowering the age of consent; deplores Her Majesty's Government's decision to deny this House the opportunity to consider the Amendments approved by the Other Place; further deplores Her Majesty's Government's decision to apply the Parliament Acts to a bill which has not concluded its consideration in both Houses; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to drop its plans to force this measure through Parliament by recourse to the Parliament Acts.

Signatures by party: Conservative 8, UUP 2.