Clause 10 - Sexual activity with a child
Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Mr John Randall (Uxbridge, Conservative)
I apologise to the Committee because I was unable to attend the full sitting this morning.
I congratulate my hon. Friend on getting very close to something that might be acceptable. I understand the problem and I think that the Committee is gradually making progress towards resolving it. I would not run to a magnum of champagne, but perhaps a can of lager from Uxbridge.
I still have a problem with the whole idea. I understand the problems, but the issue must be resolved; there will be great concerns about it, not only within the Committee but outside it. Has the Minister had any conversations with the Department for Education and Skills about what guidelines it would give on sex education with regard to those under 16? Will those giving sex education be telling people that certain touching is officially a crime, but that people will be all right up to a point? Or would those teachers be in danger from a parent, perhaps more prurient than others, saying that their child has been told that touching is okay, even though it is a crime? I am wondering how the Department for Education and Skills would get around the matter. Before I can sit down and be happy that we have tried our very best, I would like to know what has been happening on that point.