Serious Crime Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-02-23
Topic: Law and Crime
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the self-denying ordinance that he has exercised. I say two things to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes). First, I had understood that he was going to ask me whether it would be in order, in the absence of a Minister moving the programme motion, for him to move it, and I had intended to say that no it would not be in order for him to do so, because he is not a Minister and had not signed the motion. However, as he did not raise the point, I will not make the point that I would have made if he had Secondly, the hon. Gentleman inquires into the possibility of eliding—if I can put it that way—consideration of the abortion new clauses into the "other issues" group. He has raised an extremely important point, but there is merit first in seeing what progress we make on the first group. I shall reflect on his point, which I take extremely seriously, over the next hour or so and then advise the House of my conclusion. I make him no promise, but I shall consider his suggestion very seriously. I hope that that is helpful New Clause 8 Child sexual exploitation ‘(1) The Sexual Offences Act 2003 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6) (2) For the heading before section 47 substitute "Sexual exploitation of children". (3) In section 48 (headed "Causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography")— (a) in the heading, for "child prostitution or pornography" substitute "sexual exploitation of a child"; (b) in subsection (1)(a), for "to become a prostitute, or to be involved in pornography," substitute "to be sexually exploited" (4) In section 49 (headed "Controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornography")— (a) in the heading, for "prostitute or a child involved in pornography" substitute "in relation to sexual exploitation"; (b) in subsection (1)(a), for "prostitution or involvement in pornography" substitute "sexual exploitation" (5) In section 50 (headed "Arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornography")— (a) in the heading, for "child prostitution or pornography" substitute "sexual exploitation of a child"; (b) in subsection (1)(a), for "prostitution or involvement in pornography" substitute "sexual exploitation" (6) In section 51 (interpretation of sections 48 to 50)— (a) omit subsection (1); (b) for subsection (2) substitute— "(2) For the purposes of sections 48 to 50, a person (B) is sexually exploited if— (a) on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled to do so, B offers or provides sexual services to another person in return for payment or a promise of payment to B or a third person, or (b) an indecent image of B is recorded; and "sexual exploitation" is to be interpreted accordingly." (7) In section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959 (loitering or soliciting for purposes of prostitution), in subsection (1), after "person" insert "aged 18 or over"." —(Mr Buckland.) This New Clause replaces the references to child prostitution and pornography in sections 48 to 51 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with references to the sexual exploitation of children (without altering the substance of the relevant offences), and also restricts to adults the offence of loitering or soliciting for the purposes of prostitution. Brought up, and read the First time.