Written question asked by Helen Clark (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 January 2002. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 14 January 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation which enables community leaders to be informed if registered paedophiles move into their area.

Answer: Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation which enables community leaders to be informed if registered paedophiles move into their area. [24918] Beverley Hughes: The police already have and use the power to disclose information to individuals or groups in the community where they believe that doing so is necessary to prevent an offence from being committed. They assess to whom to disclose the information and how to do so on the basis of the circumstances of the individual case. We have made it clear that local people who are properly trained will be enabled to take part in the local public protection panels we have required the police and probation services to set up to manage dangerous offenders in the community. This is an important way of ensuring that the local community feels it has a voice and a representative in the process.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 24918; 378 c99W;378 c97W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Police Powers Public participation Offences against children Paedophilia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk