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Proceeding contribution from Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) 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

I remind the hon. Gentleman of his reply to me. In the Lancashire case, a couple were questioned by the police for an hour and 20 minutes. They had asked the local council whether they could distribute Christian literature alongside the council's literature on civil partnerships. There was an outcry, and Lancashire police stood their ground and said it was a proper intervention. The local council also stood its ground and said that it was a proper intervention under the law—not under this Bill—that it was then invoking. It was only when the couple sued—or commenced suing; there was a settlement—that the police and local council decided that they had got it wrong. When that is the attitude of senior police and authorities, who are responsible for implementing the law that this place passes, we sometimes need very simple, straightforward clarifications that almost hit them on the nose, so that they actually understand what Parliament intends.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
490 c202-3 
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