Written question asked by Donald Gorrie (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 14 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 March 2001. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 March 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to introduce legislation to treat sectarian motivated violence and harassment as a specific crime.

Answer: Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to treat sectarian motivated violence and harassment as a specific crime. [154389] Mr. Charles Clarke: We have no present plans to introduce legislation to make a specific offence of violence or harassment motivated by hostility based on the victim's membership (or presumed membership) of a religious group. The courts already have power to reflect aggravating factors of this type in the sentences they pass.

Secondary information