Policsy Announcements, Wednesday 13 June

Government  

• Plans to offer more drug treatments to child sex offenders to try to stop them committing further crimes have been announced by the Home Office. The treatment involving libido-reducing drugs or anti-depressants would be taken on a voluntary basis. Parents will also be able to ask for checks on whether new partners or people dealing with their children are known sex offenders. It would be an offence to disclose the information to others.  
• Ministers have made some concessions to campaigners over the planned changes to mental heath laws. Health Minister Rosie Winterton has set a two-year target to ensure children are no longer treated in adult wards. She has also said doctors will be given tight rules over the use of orders to force patients to take medicine and place them under detention if required. Campaigners said the moves were welcome, but they still had some concerns. The bill, which amends the 1983 Act, has been designed to introduce powers in England and Wales to detain people with serious personality disorders even if they have not committed a crime.  
• Amateur sailors will be subject to the same alcohol limits as drivers, the Department for Transport has announced. Restrictions for professional sailors, brought in March 2004, will now cover amateur yachtsmen as well. The drink limit will apply to those "involved in the navigation of a vessel" longer than 7m (23ft) capable of speeds of 7 knots or more. Jet skis are not covered, but ministers are looking at bringing them under the legislation as soon as possible.