§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their definition of the word "family" includes two practising sodomites living at the same address; and
Whether their definition of the word "family" includes two heterosexual males living at the same address; and
Whether their definition of the word "family" includes two lesbian women living at the same address; and
Whether their definition of the word "family" includes two lesbian women having care or custody of a child living at the same address; and
Whether, in order to claim the advantages of the status of "partners", males living at the same address are required to give assurance that they engage in homosexual intercourse.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)Lexicography is not currently a function of Her Majesty's Government. I would refer the noble Lord to the wide range of dictionaries in the Library. Her Majesty's Government are committed to strengthening family life and my right honourable friend the Home Secretary is currently chairing a ministerial group on the Family.