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Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

Yes. I do not want to over-emphasise the point, but it shows the Bill’s lack of cross-border workability. I wonder whether there has been any consultation with the Scottish Executive. Given the Bill’s possible chilling effect and the need for propriety in the constitutional settlement, such contact should have been made, at the very least. The Minister repeatedly referred to the guidance for the police that he will draft if the Bill is passed. Much as I respect him and have no doubt that he is a man who honours his word, I do not find that reassuring in any way. He offered the House his personal assurance. That is worth something, but I remind him that there is a reshuffle coming. If he were to be moved as part of that reshuffle, his successor need not feel bound by his personal, rather than official, assurance. In any event, Ministers who hold his post in the future might well feel differently about the matter due to different circumstances and a different climate. They could well provide alternative guidance to the police, but such guidance would never have to come to the House for ratification or debate.