§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the recommendation of the Law Commission that the offence of blasphemy should be abolished.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)The Law Commission have made it clear that their proposal, which is contained in their Working Paper No. 79 on Offences Against616WA Religion and Public Worship, is only provisional. They recognise that the arguments for and against an offence of blasphemy are finely balanced and raise sensitive questions which are of interest to many sections of the community, whose views they have sought. The Home Office is considering the Law Commission's Working Paper and may have comments to offer, but it would not be appropriate for the Government to reach any final view on the proposal until the response of others is known and the Law Commission have themselves made a final recommendation.
House adjourned at two minutes past seven o'clock.