Written question asked by Margaret Moran (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 July 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 July 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 July 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Sexual Offences: Internet

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to require social networking sites (a) to cross-check new members against registered sex offenders’ lists and (b) to prevent registered sex offenders from signing up for services.

Answer: Access to information about the personal details and whereabouts of registered sex offenders is restricted to law enforcement agencies. The police do have the power to disclose information about sex offenders to the public in appropriate circumstances. However, we do not intend to make this information routinely available to internet service providers or other persons or organisations not concerned with law enforcement.The Review of the Protection of Children from Sex Offenders, published on 13 June, indicated that the Government will take steps to enable sex offenders to be required to register their e-mail addresses with the police. This will provide greater assistance to law enforcement agencies in monitoring offenders’ use of information and communication technology.

Secondary information