Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the law of blasphemy protects only the Christian religion and the doctrines and rituals of the Church of England and on what grounds they decided neither to abolish this law nor to accept the recommendation to widen it to cover other religions.
Earl FerrersBlasphemy and blasphemous libel are common law offences, and their scope has been settled by the courts in successive judgments. The Government are not proposing a change in the law because there is not sufficient agreement in favour of any amendment, including either of the possible changes mentioned in my noble friend's Question.