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Age At Which Homosexual Acts Are Lawful

Volume 238: debated on Monday 21 February 1994

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

'.—(1) In section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 (amendment of law relating to homosexual acts in private), for "twenty-one" in both places where it occurs there is substituted "eighteen".
(2) In section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (homosexual offences), for "twenty-one" in each place where it occurs there is substituted "eighteen".
(3) This section shall come into force on the date this Act is passed.'.—[Sir Anthony Durant.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—

The Committee divided: Ayes 427, Noes 162.

Division No. 137]

[10.37 pm

AYES

Adams, Mrs IreneClarke, Tom (Monklands W)
Ainger, NickClifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey)Coe, Sebastian
Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)Coffey, Ann
Aitken, JonathanCohen, Harry
Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby)Colvin, Michael
Allen, GrahamCongdon, David
Alton, DavidConnarty, Michael
Amess, DavidConway, Derek
Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)Cook, Frank (Stockton N)
Arbuthnot, JamesCook, Robin (Livingston)
Armstrong, HilaryCoombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st)
Arnold, Sir Thomas (Hazel Grv)Coombs, Simon (Swindon)
Ashby, DavidCope, Rt Hon Sir John
Ashdown, Rt Hon PaddyCorbyn, Jeremy
Ashton, JoeCorston, Ms Jean
Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E)Couchman, James
Austin-Walker, JohnCox, Tom
Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Valley)Cryer, Bob
Baldry, TonyCummings, John
Banks, Robert (Harrogate)Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)
Banks, Tony (Newham NW)Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr John
Barnes, HarryCurrie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire)
Barron, KevinCurry, David (Skipton & Ripon)
Batiste, SpencerDafis, Cynog
Battle, JohnDalyell, Tam
Bayley, HughDarling, Alistair
Beckett, Rt Hon MargaretDavidson, Ian
Beith, Rt Hon A. J.Davies, Bryan (Oldham C'tral)
Bell, StuartDavies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)
Bellingham, HenryDavies, Quentin (Stamford)
Benn, Rt Hon TonyDavis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'I
Bennett, Andrew F.Denham, John
Berry, Dr. RogerDeva, Nirj Joseph
Biffen, Rt Hon JohnDewar, Donald
Blair, TonyDixon, Don
Blunkett, DavidDobson, Frank
Boateng, PaulDonohoe, Brian H.
Body, Sir RichardDorrell, Stephen
Boswell, TimDouglas-Hamilton, Lord James
Bottomley, Peter (Eltham)Dowd, Jim
Bottomley, Rt Hon VirginiaDuncan, Alan
Bowden, AndrewDunn, Bob
Bowis, JohnDurant, Sir Anthony
Boyes, RolandEagle, Ms Angela
Bradley, KeithEastham, Ken
Brandreth, GylesEggar, Tim
Bray, Dr JeremyElletson, Harold
Brown, Gordon (Dunfermline E)Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter
Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thorpes)Enright, Derek
Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E)Etherington, Bill
Browning, Mrs. AngelaEvans, John (St Helens N)
Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon)Ewing, Mrs Margaret
Burns, SimonFaber, David
Burt, AlistairFabricant, Michael
Butler, PeterFatchett, Derek
Butterfill, JohnField, Barry (Isle of Wight)
Byers, StephenField, Frank (Birkenhead)
Caborn, RichardFishburn, Dudley
Callaghan, JimFisher, Mark
Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge)Flynn, Paul
Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE)Forsyth, Michael (Stirling)
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V)Forth, Eric
Campbell-Savours, D. N.Foster, Rt Hon Derek
Canavan, DennisFoster, Don (Bath)
Cann, JamieFoulkes, George
Carlile, Alexander (Montgomry)Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman
Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln)Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring)
Carrington, MatthewFraser, John
Channon, Rt Hon PaulFyfe, Maria
Chapman, SydneyGalbraith, Sam
Chisholm, MalcolmGapes, Mike
Clapham, MichaelGarel-Jones, Rt Hon Tristan
Clappison, JamesGarnier, Edward
Clark, Dr David (South Shields)Garrett, John
Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)George, Bruce
Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ruclif)Gerrard, Neil

Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr JohnKnight, Greg (Derby N)
Godman, Dr Norman A.Knox, Sir David
Golding, Mrs LlinLait, Mrs Jacqui
Goodlad, Rt Hon AlastairLamont, Rt Hon Norman
Gordon, MildredLang, Rt Hon Ian
Gorst, JohnLeighton, Ron
Graham, ThomasLennox-Boyd, Mark
Grant, Bernie (Tottenham)Lester, Jim (Broxtowe)
Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)Lestor, Joan (Eccles)
Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)Lewis, Terry
Grocott, BruceLidington, David
Gunnell, JohnLilley, Rt Hon Peter
Hague, WilliamLitherland, Robert
Hall, MikeLloyd, Rt Hon Peter (Fareham)
Hamilton, Neil (Tatton)Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)
Hampson, Dr KeithLlwyd, Elfyn
Hanley, JeremyLoyden, Eddie
Hannam, Sir JohnLuff, Peter
Hanson, DavidLyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas
Hardy, PeterLynne, Ms Liz
Hargreaves, AndrewMcAllion, John
Harman, Ms HarrietMcAvoy, Thomas
Harris, DavidMcFall, John
Haselhurst, AlanMacGregor, Rt Hon John
Hattersley, Rt Hon RoyMacKay, Andrew
Hayes, JerryMcKelvey, William
Heath, Rt Hon Sir EdwardMackinlay, Andrew
Henderson, DougMcLeish, Henry
Hendry, CharlesMaclennan, Robert
Higgins, Rt Hon Sir Terence L.McLoughlin, Patrick
Hill, James (Southampton Test)McMaster, Gordon
Hinchliffe, DavidMcNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick
Hoey, KateMcNamara, Kevin
Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas (G'tham)McWilliam, John
Hogg, Norman (Cumbernauld)Madden, Max
Home Robertson, JohnMaddock, Mrs Diana
Hood, JimmyMadel, Sir David
Hoon, GeoffreyMahon, Alice
Hordern, Rt Hon Sir PeterMaitland, Lady Olga
Howard, Rt Hon MichaelMajor, Rt Hon John
Howarth, Alan (Strat'rd-on-A)Malone, Gerald
Howarth, George (Knowsley N)Mandelson, Peter
Howell, Rt Hon David (G'dford)Marek, Dr John
Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd)Marland, Paul
Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)Marshall, Jim (Leicester, S)
Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)Martlew, Eric
Hughes Robert G. (Harrow W)Mawhinney, Rt Hon Dr Brian
Hughes, Simon (Southwark)Maxton, John
Hume, JohnMeacher, Michael
Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W)Meale, Alan
Hunt, Sir John (Ravensbourne)Mellor, Rt Hon David
Hurd, Rt Hon DouglasMichael, Alun
Hutton, JohnMichie, Bill (Sheffield Healey)
Illsley, EricMilburn, Alan
Ingram, AdamMiller, Andrew
Jack, MichaelMitchell, Andrew (Gedling)
Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby)
Jackson, Robert (Wantage)Mitchell, Sir David (Hants NW)
Janner, GrevilleMoate, Sir Roger
Jenkin, BernardMontgomery, Sir Fergus
Johnson Smith, Sir GeoffreyMoonie, Dr Lewis
Johnston, Sir RussellMorgan, Rhodri
Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)Morley, Elliot
Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Ynys Môn)Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe)
Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley)
Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)Mudie, George
Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW)Mullin, Chris
Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham)Murphy, Paul
Jones, Robert B. (W Hertfdshr)Newton, Rt Hon Tony
Jopling, Rt Hon MichaelNicholson, David (Taunton)
Jowell, TessaNicholson, Emma (Devon West)
Kaufman, Rt Hon GeraldNorris, Steve
Keen, AlanO'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire)
Kennedy, Charles (Ross,C&S)O'Brien, William (Normanton)
Kennedy, Jane (Lpool Brdgn)O'Hara, Edward
Key, RobertOlner, William
Khabra, Piara S.O'Neill, Martin
Kilfoyle, PeterOnslow, Rt Hon Sir Cranley
Kinnock, Rt Hon Neil (Islwyn)Oppenheim, Phillip
Kirkwood, ArchyOrme, Rt Hon Stanley

Parry, RobertSpicer, Sir James (W Dorset)
Patchett, TerrySpicer, Michael (S Worcs)
Pattie, Rt Hon Sir GeoffreySpring, Richard
Pawsey, JamesSquire, Rachel (Dunfermline W)
Pickles, EricSquire, Robin (Hornchurch)
Pike, Peter L.Steel, Rt Hon Sir David
Pope, GregSteinberg, Gerry
Portillo, Rt Hon MichaelStevenson, George
Powell, Ray (Ogmore)Stewart, Allan
Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E)Stott, Roger
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)Strang, Dr. Gavin
Prescott, JohnStraw, Jack
Primarolo, DawnTaylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury)
Quin, Ms JoyceTaylor, Rt Hon John D. (Strgfd)
Radice, GilesTaylor, Matthew (Truro)
Randall, StuartTemple-Morris, Peter
Rathbone, TimThomason, Roy
Raynsford, NickThompson, Sir Donald (C'er V)
Reid, Dr JohnThompson, Jack (Wansbeck)
Rendel, DavidThurnham, Peter
Renton, Rt Hon TimTredinnick, David
Rifkind, Rt Hon. MalcolmTurner, Dennis
Robertson, George (Hamilton)Twinn, Dr Ian
Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S)Tyler, Paul
Robinson, Geoffrey (Co'try NW)Vaughan, Sir Gerard
Roche, Mrs. BarbaraVaz, Keith
Rooker, JeffWaldegrave, Rt Hon William
Rooney, TerryWalden, George
Ross, Ernie (Dundee W)Walker, Rt Hon Sir Harold
Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent)Wallace, James
Rowlands, TedWaller, Gary
Ruddock, JoanWalley, Joan
Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame AngelaWardell, Gareth (Gower)
Ryder, Rt Hon RichardWardle, Charles (Bexhill)
Sainsbury, Rt Hon TimWareing, Robert N
Salmond, AlexWheeler, Rt Hon Sir John
Scott, Rt Hon NicholasWhittingdale, John
Sedgemore, BrianWicks, Malcolm
Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey)Wigley, Dafydd
Sheerman, BarryWilletts, David
Sheldon, Rt Hon RobertWilliams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W)
Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen)
Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge)Wilshire, David
Shore, Rt Hon PeterWilson, Brian
Short, ClareWinnick, David
Simpson, AlanWise, Audrey
Skinner, DennisWolfson, Mark
Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)Wood, Timothy
Smith, C. (Isl'ton S & F'sbury)Worthington, Tony
Smith, Rt Hon John (M'kl'ds E)Wright, Dr Tony
Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)Young, David (Bolton SE)
Snape, PeterYoung, Rt Hon Sir George
Soames, Nicholas
Soley, Clive

Tellers for the Ayes:

Spearing, Nigel

Mr. Richard Page and

Speed, Sir KeithMr. Tim Devlin.
Spellar, John

NOES

Allason, Rupert (Torbay)Carttiss, Michael
Ancram, MichaelCash, William
Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham)Churchill, Mr
Aspinwall, JackClark, Dr Michael (Rochford)
Atkins, RobertCran, James
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)Cunliffe, Lawrence
Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North)Davis, David (Boothferry)
Banks, Matthew (Southport)Day, Stephen
Bates, MichaelDickens, Geoffrey
Beggs, RoyDicks, Terry
Bendall, VivianDover, Den
Beresford, Sir PaulDuncan-Smith, Iain
Bermingham, GeraldDunnachie, Jimmy
Blackburn, Dr John G.Dykes, Hugh
Bonsor, Sir NicholasEvans, David (Welwyn Hatfield)
Boyson, Rt Hon Sir RhodesEvans, Jonathan (Brecon)
Brazier, JulianEvans, Nigel (Ribble Valley)
Bright, GrahamEvans, Roger (Monmouth)
Bruce, Ian (S Dorset)Evennett, David
Budgen, NicholasFairbairn, Sir Nicholas
Carlisle, John (Luton North)Fenner, Dame Peggy

Forman, NigelNeubert, Sir Michael
Forsythe, Clifford (Antrim S)Nicholls, Patrick
Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley)Ottaway, Richard
Freeman, Rt Hon RogerPaice, James
French, DouglasPaisley, Rev Ian
Fry, Sir PeterPatnick, Irvine
Gale, RogerPatten, Rt Hon John
Gallie, PhilPeacock, Mrs Elizabeth
Galloway, GeorgePorter, Barry (Wirral S)
Gardiner, Sir GeorgePorter, David (Waveney)
Gill, ChristopherPowell, William (Corby)
Gillan, CherylRedwood, Rt Hon John
Godsiff, RogerRichards, Rod
Goodson-Wickes, Dr CharlesRiddick, Graham
Gorman, Mrs TeresaRobathan, Andrew
Grant, Sir A. (Cambs SW)Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)
Greenway, Harry (Ealing N)Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne)
Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N)Ross, William (E Londonderry)
Gummer, Rt Hon John SelwynSackville, Tom
Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir ArchieShaw, David (Dover)
Harvey, NickShersby, Michael
Hawkins, NickSkeet, Sir Trevor
Hawksley, WarrenSmith, Sir Dudley (Warwick)
Heppell, JohnSmyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S)
Heseltine, Rt Hon MichaelSpencer, Sir Derek
Hicks, RobertSproat, Iain
Hill, Keith (Streatham)Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John
Horam, JohnSteen, Anthony
Hughes, Roy (Newport E)Stephen, Michael
Hunter, AndrewStern, Michael
Jackson, Glenda (H'stead)Streeter, Gary
Jessel, TobySumberg, David
Kellett-Bowman, Dame ElaineSweeney, Walter
Kilfedder, Sir JamesSykes, John
Kirkhope, TimothyTapsell, Sir Peter
Knapman, RogerTaylor, Ian (Esher)
Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash)Taylor, John M. (Solihull)
Knight, Dame Jill (Bir'm E'st'n)Taylor, Sir Teddy (Southend, E)
Kynoch, George (Kincardine)Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N)
Lawrence, Sir IvanThornton, Sir Malcolm
Legg, BarryTownend, John (Bridlington)
Leigh, EdwardTownsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)
Lightbown, DavidTracey, Richard
Lord, MichaelTrend, Michael
McCartney, IanTrotter, Neville
McCrea, Rev WilliamViggers, Peter
McGrady, EddieWalker, A. Cecil (Belfast N)
Maclean, DavidWard, John
Maginnis, KenWaterson, Nigel
Mallon, SeamusWatson, Mike
Mans, KeithWatts, John
Marlow, TonyWells, Bowen
Marshall, David (Shettleston)Welsh, Andrew
Marshall, John (Hendon S)Whitney, Ray
Martin, David (Portsmouth S)Widdecombe, Ann
Martin, Michael J. (Springburn)Wiggin, Sir Jerry
Merchant, PiersWilkinson, John
Mills, IainYeo, Tim
Molyneaux, Rt Hon James
Monro, Sir Hector

Tellers for the Noes:

Moss, Malcolm

Mr. Bill Walker and Mr. Robert Spink.

Nelson, Anthony

Question accordingly agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.