Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

The Human Rights Act—I am sure I have heard the noble Lord say this on innumerable occasions—is the means through which we tend to preserve the proper balance of freedom of speech and other rights. We have to get the balance right. The thrust of what many in this House have said is ““why not have something on the face of the Bill that gives that clarity, and gives voice to the fact that the Human Rights Act provision—the signature that we put on the front of the Bill—actually bites?””. We have listened to that, and are considering how we could better address that concern. Our answer has been, as was said by the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, that it is there, in Article 10 and all the way through. However, that is an issue we will consider between now and Report. In relation to either of those last issues, I do not have amendments or proposals that I can put before the Committee that would be capable of reassuring your Lordships and/or of being the foundation of debate. The whole purpose of the Committee stage is for us to discuss, debate and listen, and then hone what is being proposed so that we can vote on it on Report, if that need arises and we have not resolved it. So that is where we are now. I do not say that the Government will not think again, but I say clearly that I do not have amendments or suggestions this afternoon that I can put before your Lordships that you can consider. I may be in a better position to do so by Report.