Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lady Scotland of Asthal, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. I am sorry that my noble friend cannot be here this afternoon, but a family illness means that she has had to be called away to the West Indies. I am sure that all Members of the House will join me in sending her our good wishes. I keenly anticipate this debate—in particular, the maiden speech of my noble friend Lady Corston, because she has been involved in these matters in her distinguished chairmanship of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. I also keenly anticipate the maiden speech of my noble friend Lord Foulkes of Cumnock because he is the chairman of Heart of Midlothian Football Club at a time when they are enjoying unparalleled success—thanks entirely to his chairmanship. I will of course attend the opening and closing speeches and as much of the debate this afternoon as possible but, with your Lordships’ leave, I will have to leave to attend the swearing in of a new judge and to meet Peers during the course of the afternoon. This is an important but controversial Bill. The gap in the criminal law that it seeks to address allows people to stir up hatred against others on the grounds of religious belief or lack of religious belief.