§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 12 April (WA 50), what is the justification for banning the advocacy of religious hatred in Northern Ireland but not in Great Britain. [HL2341]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonAs I explained in my reply to Baroness Whitaker on 12 April (WA 49–50), the issues surrounding the definition of "racial hatred" and its application to particular groups are difficult and complex. But this difficulty and complexity are a reflection of the ethnic and religious diversity of Britain generally.
It is the Government's view that the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland, with its terrible history of sectarian hostility and violence, require particular measures which it may not be suitable to apply to the United Kingdom. That is why there is legislation dealing with the issue which is specific to Northern Ireland, namely the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. Under this it is an offence to incite hatred against a group of persons defined by "religious belief".
I should emphasise, however, that we are continuing to keep the issue of incitement to religious hatred under review.