§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that there is (a) public consultation about, and (b) pre-legislative scrutiny of, their proposal to introduce legislation banning incitement to religious hatred. [HL3759]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)No decision has been taken on the handling and procedures for this proposal, which will be determined in part by the circumstances which pertain when a legislative vehicle is identified. However, the issues surrounding the case for a new offence were the subject of extensive examination during the review by the Select Committee on Religious Offences and the debate on the committee's report which took place on 22 April. The Government recognise that this is an issue of widespread interest and concern to many people. We will of course listen carefully to all views.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend the proposed legislation banning incitement to religious hatred to include only traditional religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. [HL3760]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalDetails about the scope of the offence will be set out when we are in a position to publish our proposals.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the proposed legislation banning incitement to religious hatred will permit a novelist to be prosecuted in circumstances similar to those which arose in Mr Salman Rushdie's case for writing The Satanic Verses; and [HL3762]
127WAWhether they intend the proposed legislation banning incitement to religious hatred to extend to secular commentators or satirists who express disdain for all religious worship using language that causes offences to believers in religious worship. [HL3761]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe legislation will be targeted at conduct which incites hatred of people because of their religion or beliefs. Its purpose will not be to curb utterances merely because some people may regard them as offensive. As the Home Secretary made clear in his speech to the Institute of Public Policy Research on 7 July, we are confident that concerns that legislation might prevent people debating each other's religion, or from proselytising, will prove to be unfounded.