To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation has taken place with the United Kingdom Government over the wording of chapter 38 of the Sex Offences Bill currently before the House of Keys in the Isle of Man; and what response the Government have made.
The Sexual Offences Bill has recently been sent to the Home Office by the Isle of Man Government as part of the usual consultative procedures. Section 38 of the Manx Sexual Offences Bill, which is on the same lines as section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, takes account of earlier discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Isle of Man authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what indication he has given to the authorities in (a) Jersey and (b) the Isle of Man about the steps which he would take in relation to the criminal law on homosexuality, in the event that the parliaments of these islands fail to amend their current legislation to the satisfaction of the United Kingdom.
Both Jersey and the Isle of Man have been made aware of the need to amend their current legislation in order to enable the United Kingdom to conform with its international obligations under the European convention on human rights. The Island authorities are also aware that the United Kingdom would need to legislate on their behalf, if necessary.