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Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

I should like to say a few words with reference to what has been said by the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe). I am glad to be able to say to her that, when we come into this House every day, we have prayers and that the ““Book of Common Prayer”” is opened, and that everything that I believe is in that book, although I am a Presbyterian. The right hon. Lady can work that out in her own way. I believe in the integrity of the Ministers on the Front Bench, and I believe that they would like us to put our faith in them. But when this matter comes before the courts, they will not be there. It will not matter what they have said; we could bring 10 pages of Hansard and read them out in court, but they would not be accepted. We are making the law in the House tonight. I must say honestly that, when I listened to the Minister arguing, I realised that he was arguing in a circle and that he could not get out of that circle. That is the crux of the matter. If we want to unite our nation, we should go for free speech. We should say, ““Look, we are all different, but we must be allowed to express our differences, not to stir up strife but to maintain the principle of freedom.”” I say to the House tonight that that freedom was bought at a terrible price; please do not sell it, or we shall all regret it. It being three hours after the commencement of proceedings, Madam Deputy Speaker proceeded to put the Questions necessary to conclude the proceedings on the consideration of the Lords’ amendments, pursuant to Order [this day]. Lords amendment agreed to. Lords amendment: No. 2. Motion made, and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said amendment.—[Paul Goggins.] The House proceeded to a Division.