"A Bill will be brought forward to modernise the laws on sexual offences and to strengthen the framework of penalties for sex offenders to protect the public."

The government is to get tough on sex offenders but is set to repeal out-dated laws governing adult consensual sex.

The government's Sexual Offences Bill will repeal many laws from the Victorian era, but will also propose tough new laws on rapists and paedophiles.

The bill will sweep away legislation governing gay sex - and will scrap laws which make it illegal for consenting homosexuals to engage in group sex.

The law of gross indecency, which applied to gay men engaging in sex in a "public" place such as a hotel room, will be removed.

But a new law will be introduced to prevent straight and gay couples indulging in sex acts in public lavatories and parks.

Laws which prevent heterosexual couples engaging in anal sex are also expected to be swept away.

The legislation is also expected to redefine consent in rape cases if the victim was drunk or high on drugs.

The move could enshrine a "drunk means no" policy in legislation and result in a huge rise in the number of date rape cases coming before the courts.

Critics of the new approach believe the reform could lead to a rise in malicious allegations and cause confusion among late-night revellers.

The Conservatives have signalled that they may oppose the shift.

Other aspects of the overhaul see Britain developing the "toughest child protection laws in the world".

Measures will include a crack down on internet paedophiles - including a new offence of internet "chatroom grooming".

A tightened sex offenders register will see 18,500 people currently convicted of sex offences forced to report to the police every year rather than every five years.

Those convicted of child sex tourism overseas will be compelled to register on their return to the UK or face five years in jail - a move that is set to herald greater international cooperation to tackle abuse.

MPs are also calling on the government to scrap the loophole which allows registered paedophiles to travel abroad for up to eight days without having to inform the destination country.

Key points:

The government says its new legislation will:

• Provide better protection for the most vulnerable, particularly children.

• Provide a clear, coherent and effective set of laws that better respond to today's types of sexual abuse, for example paedophile use of the Internet.

• Modernise sex offences so they do not discriminate on grounds of gender and provide protection for all.

• Provide penalties that enable the appropriate punishment of abusers.

• Strengthen the Sex Offenders Register by tightening notification requirements and broadening the offences that trigger registration.

House of Lords

First reading: January 28 2003 (HL Bill 26)

Second reading: February 13 2003

Committee stage

• 1nd sitting: March 31 2003
• 2rd sitting: April 1 2003
• 3rd sitting: April 10 2003
• 4th sitting: April 28 2003
• 5th sitting: May 13 2003
• 6th sitting: May 19 2003
• Bill as amended (HL Bill 68)

Report stage

• 1st sitting: June 2 2003
• 2nd sitting: June 9 2003
• Bill as amended (HL Bill 74)

Third reading: June 17 2003(Bill as amended: HC Bill 128

House of Commons

First reading: June 18 2003 (HC Bill 128)

Second reading: July 15 2003

Committee stage (SC B)

• 1st sitting: September 9 2003 (am)
• 2nd sitting: September 9 2003 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: September 11 2003 (am)
• 4th sitting: September 11 2003 (pm)
• 5th sitting: September 16 2003 (am)
• 6th sitting: September 16 2003 (pm)
• 7th sitting: September 18 2003 (am)
• 8th sitting: September 18 2003 (pm)
• 9th sitting: October 14 2003 (pm)
• 9th sitting: October 14 2003 (pm)

Remaining stages: November 3 2003

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amendments: November 13 2003 (HL Bill 117)

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments: November 18 2003

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amendments: November 18 2003

Royal Assent: November 20 2003