Sex Offenders Register Debate

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Department: Home Office

Sex Offenders Register

Lord Thomas of Gresford Excerpts
Wednesday 16th February 2011

(13 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Thomas of Gresford Portrait Lord Thomas of Gresford
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My Lords, can I express my sense of shame at hearing the language that has been used in this Statement? It is precisely the sort of thing that we attacked for years when we were in opposition and I am very sorry to hear that this headline-grabbing language is being used again. Like the noble Baroness, I simply do not understand why applications for the removal of a name from the register should not be made in an open and transparent way before a court. After all, it is the court that imposes the sentence of 30 months, which is the threshold when a person is placed upon the register for life. I see no principle—I see nothing—in this Statement that would assuage my feelings about it.

Baroness Neville-Jones Portrait Baroness Neville-Jones
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The noble Lord has certainly made his point. I fear there is very little that I can add to what I have already said, by way of explanation to the House, on why the Government have taken the view that they have about the right place to take this decision.