§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that all future legislation is written in gender-neutral language. [57193]
§ The Prime MinisterThe most important objectives in the language used in legislation are clarity and legal certainty. In general, the use of gender-specific language is not necessary in order to meet these objectives. But there are occasions when, for example, the use of gender-specific pronouns makes it possible for legislation to be expressed more simply, and so more clearly, than it otherwise could be. In these cases, section 6 of the Interpretation Act 1978 applies. It provides that, unless the contrary intention applies, words importing the masculine gender include the feminine, and vice versa.