Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

My Lords, I add my personal sympathy to the noble Baroness, Lady Scotland, and send my good wishes to her and her family. It is a privilege to follow in the wake of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern. I, too, look forward to the maiden speeches—especially to that of the noble Baroness, Lady Corston, as the former chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. I do not agree with the opinion that was expressed by the committee just before the election and I hope that it might be reconsidered. I hope that she will make a major contribution to the debate in her non-controversial maiden speech. The aim of the Bill is to deter and punish extremists and fanatics who foment hatred against groups linked in the minds of the perpetrators by religion or belief. That is a worthy aim, but as it stands, the Bill is unacceptably vague and sweeps too broadly. It is unfortunate that it has been introduced so early in the Government’s huge legislative programme. I was personally assured by the Minister before the general election that there would be full consultation before the Bill was brought back. The Government have not honoured that assurance. They have even threatened to use the Parliament Act if they do not get their way in this House. I hope that that does not mean that the Government have closed their minds to ways of radically improving this controversial measure. I see the noble and learned Lord, the Lord Chancellor, wrinkling his magisterial brow. The noble Baroness, Lady Scotland, gave that assurance and she was most apologetic to me about the fact that, after she ceased to have responsibility, others had taken charge. But that was on the eve of the election.