Clause 29 - Family relationships
Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]
4:16 pm
Ms Harriet Harman (Solicitor General, Law Officers' Department; Camberwell and Peckham, Labour)
That is right. I think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to subsection (5)(b), which says:
'' 'cousin' means the child of an aunt or uncle.''
We are not talking about second or third cousins once removed, but about people who are the child of an aunt or uncle who have lived in the same household, or
are regularly involved in caring. I hope that that reassures the hon. Gentleman.
We believe that it is right to include cousins in the scope of the offences if they live or have lived in the same household as the child, or if they are or have been regularly involved in caring for, training, or supervising the child. We are getting to the relationship between two people, as well as the question of co-sanguinity. Where one cousin is so closely involved in the life of another, there will clearly be the opportunity for exploitative behaviour to take place and for an unsuitable relationship to develop. It would be wrong to exclude them from the scope of the offences. For that reason we do not accept the amendment. I hope that hon. Members will support the Government amendments.
Amendment agreed to.
Amendments made:
No. 110, in
clause 29, page 15, line 18, leave out
'partner of the other's parent'
and insert 'other's stepparent'.
No. 111, in
clause 29, page 15, line 40, at beginning insert
' ''stepparent'' includes a parent's partner and'.—[The Solicitor-General.]
Clause 29, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clauses 30 and 31 ordered to stand part of the Bill.