Resolved, That, at this day's sitting, David Winnick do take the Chair of the Committee.—(Bob Russell.)

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Sexual Offences Bill), proposed by David Winnick, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 79 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 80 read, as follows:

We therefore recommend that the reporting restriction, which currently preserves the anonymity of complainants of sexual offences, be extended to persons accused of those offences. We suggest, however, that the anonymity of the accused be protected only for a limited period between allegation and charge. In our view, this strikes an appropriate balance between the need to protect potentially innocent suspects from damaging publicity and the wider public interest in retaining free and full reporting of criminal proceedings.

Amendment proposed, in line 3, to leave out from the word "offences" to the end of the paragraph and add the words "until a conviction.".—(Mr James Clappison.)

Question put, that the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Paragraph 80 agreed to.

Summary agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That David Winnick do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select committees (reports)) to be applied to the Report.

Several Papers were ordered to be appended to the Minutes of Evidence.

Ordered, That the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee be reported to the House.—(David Winnick.)

Several Papers were ordered to be reported to the House.

[Adjourned till Tuesday 8 July at 9.30 am