House of Lords threw out the the Government’s Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill

16th April 1999, 1:00am
* This week the House of Lords threw out the the Government’s Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill which will outlaw relationships between teachers and pupils aged 16 or 17. Offenders could face up to two years in jail.

The Bill also brings the age of consent for homosexuals in line with heterosexuals at age 16. Labour is expected to bring it back next year, invoking the Parliament Act to get the Bill through.