text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Crime and Disorder Bill - Reduction of Age of Consent for Homosexual Acts to 16
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted aye to reduce the age of consent for homosexual acts from eighteen to sixteen bringing equality to the the law affecting heterosexual and homosexual acts. 
  @ MP voted no against reducing the age of consent for homosexual acts from eighteen to sixteen bringing equality to the the law affecting heterosexual and homosexual acts. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to reduce the age of consent for homosexual acts from eighteen to sixteen bringing equality to the the law affecting heterosexual and homosexual acts. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to insert a new clause into the Crime and Disorder Bill[1] which read:[2]
  
  * In Sexual Offences Act 1956,[3] substitute "sixteen" for the word "eighteen".
  * In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Offences_Act_1967 Sexual Offences Act 1967],[4] substitute "sixteen" for the word "eighteen".
  * In Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,[5] substitute "sixteen" for the word "eighteen".
  * In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_Offences_(Northern_Ireland)_Order_1982 Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982] (homosexual acts in private), substitute "18" with "17".
  
  The last part was to equalize the age of consent between homosexual and heterosexual acts which at the time was set at 17 in Northern Ireland.
  
  This clause did not survive into the Crime and Disorder Act 1998,[6] and finally appeared in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Offences_%28Amendment%29_Act_2000 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000].
  
  *[1] [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmbills/167/1998167.htm Crime and Disorder Bill], House of Lords, 1 April 1998
  *[2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980622/debtext/80622-20.htm Ann Keen MP], House of Commons, 22 June 1998
  * [3] [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Sexual+Offences+Act&Year=1956&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1159297&ActiveTextDocId=1159317&filesize=9791 Sexual Offences Act 1956], Section 12, buggery
  * [4] [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Sexual+Offences+Act&Year=1967&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1186262&ActiveTextDocId=1186265&filesize=12104 Sexual Offences Act 1967], Section 1, amendment of law relating to homosexual acts in private
  * [5] [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1995/ukpga_19950039_en_2#pt1-pb4-l1g13 Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995], Section 13, homosexual offences
  * [6] [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980037_en_1 Crime and Disorder Act 1998], OPSI
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  