PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
PAEDOPHILIA AND THE LAW (10 June 1997)

That this House notes with the utmost concern the case of a known and self-confessed paedophiliac offender who is currently detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 but who, because he is diagnosed as a psychopathic paedophile and as such not amenable to treatment, may after 28 days discharge himself into the community, despite his own predictions that he will offend again; is further concerned at the limited powers available to the relevant agencies to supervise and control his behaviour after his release, and the consequent danger that he may offend again before effective action can be taken; and therefore requests that Her Majesty's Goverment should review current legislation with a view to providing, subject to diagnosis of balance of risk, enhanced powers of detention and enhanced powers of protective supervision in the community, and further should examine the interface between criminal and mental health law in the light of this case.

Sponsored by:
Mr Edward O'Hara (Labour)