Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from David Howarth (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 24 March 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill on Coroners and Justice Bill.


Coroners and Justice Bill

But that guidance has nothing to do with this aspect of the Bill because it has not yet been brought into force. I am proposing guidance specifically about that aspect; the word "homophobia" does not exist in the provisions we are talking about. Furthermore, the guidance would have to be issued after consultation with the Attorney-General. That means that there will be accountability to this House over what that guidance says, through the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General. The effect of the second part of the new clause would be that the Attorney-General would also have to have regard to all rights of freedom of expression before a prosecution was brought. That would feed back through the system and create at least some hope of a judicial review of a decision to go ahead with a prosecution, which there would not normally be. New clause 11 is far more focused on the real problem than the Government's provisions and would help in a much less dangerous way, but it is capable of meeting genuine anxieties that have arisen in religious communities. It is necessary to do something of this nature rather than, as the Government suggest, do nothing at all.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
490 c191-2 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Complaints Disclosure of information Data protection Databases Codes of practice Accountability Armed forces Alternatives to prison Coroners Damage Finance Homicide Government departments Discrimination Industrial accidents Immunity from prosecution Freedom of expression Offenders Private sector Personal records Protection Powers Public bodies Property Staff Paedophilia Scotland Rehabilitation Sentencing Standards Witnesses Sexuality Religious freedom Sanctions Reoffenders Information Commissioner's Office Homophobia Sentencing Council for England and Wales
Legislation
Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk