Sexual Offences (Pardons Etc) Bill

Debate between Sam Gyimah and Craig Williams

Friday 21st October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Craig Williams]

I listened closely to the hon. Gentleman’s speech. I hope the Minister, too, was listening.

[Mr Gyimah]

rose—

[Craig Williams]

I see my hon. Friend is about to prove that he was indeed listening.

[Mr Gyimah]

The hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Matthew Pennycook) made a passionate speech. On a point of clarification, section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956, to which he referred and which made soliciting and importuning a crime, was repealed in 2004. However, soliciting still remains a crime.

[Craig Williams]

I will leave that there.

The Liberal Democrat amendment that the Government accepted yesterday brings justice to the issue at pace, with checks and balances.