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Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords]

I shall now deal with Government amendments. Amendments Nos. 137 and 138 clarify that no one will be automatically barred on caution or conviction for an offence committed when they were under the age of 18. I know that that will be particularly welcomed by the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke), who raised this matter in Committee. In addition, no one will be automatically barred for an order, such as a sexual offences prevention order, which was made against them when they were under the age of 18. Under-18s will, of course, be barred where appropriate, but they will have the opportunity to make representations to the IBB first. Previous debates have raised queries about the treatment of pornography in the Bill. Our amendments will align the references to pornography in relation to what behaviour the IBB can consider for the purpose of inclusion in the lists. That fulfils commitments made at previous stages of the Bill’s progress. I remind the House that the IBB is already able to consider any behaviour involving pornography that harms a child or vulnerable adult. These amendments will catch conduct that does not necessarily harm a vulnerable person, but which could indicate that the individual is a risk to the vulnerable. The pornography amendments—Nos. 114 to 118 and Nos. 122 to 127—ensure that the IBB can consider behaviour involving child pornography and conduct involving violent pornography that the IBB considers to be inappropriate.