Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Friday, 28 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 May 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 15 May 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Sex Tourism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by his Department to prevent sex tourism by British citizens, with particular reference to that involving children.

Answer: We have reduced the period of time that registered sex offenders are allowed to spend overseas without notifying the police. Now, all registered sex offenders are required to notify the police of any foreign travel of three days duration or more. The police will use that information to decide whether it is necessary to take any action to prevent travel. That action can include applying for foreign travel orders, which we introduced in the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The orders can be sought where the police consider that the offender poses a risk of serious sexual harm to children under 16 in an overseas country.Since 1997, we have been able to prosecute in the British courts those who have offended against children overseas. In brief, if an act is an offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and constitutes an offence in the country where it was committed, then the offender can be convicted and punished for their crimes in this country on their return.We are currently reviewing our policy and legislation relating to travelling sex offenders and will be examining whether the law needs to be strengthened further to better protect children overseas.

Secondary information