Equality Bill [Lords]

[Interruption.] Follow that indeed. As I recall, it was Conservative Members who, in arguing that there was too much legislation, managed to prevent us for a long time from getting legislation to ban some of the worst excesses of those using large fireworks and bangers. I find it hard to know how to respond to the last contribution; it is tempting to do so, but it would be much too entertaining. One point that does need challenging, however, is the continual repetition of the phrase ““political correctness””. My favourite phrase of the afternoon was, ““The politically correct march of an increasingly barmy Britain.”” As a student I was taught that one needs to be able to define one’s terms before scattering them all over the place. Opposition Members should define the phrase ““politically correct”” before scattering it around like a swearword. To do so is ridiculous and is the refuge of the ignorant and unthinking. The very estimable hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mrs. Laing) made an excellent speech, but I was disappointed when she, too, fell into using such language. Members who do so should be very sure of their ground. After a good start and a not bad ending, the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) hit a purple patch that included a large number of examples of ““political correctness””. I remember vividly that when I lived in Haringey, black bin liners and children singing ““Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”” were banned. That seemed very odd, because I still had black bin liners and I knew of many children who were still singing that nursery rhyme in nurseries. So before people start scattering such terms around, they should be sure of their ground.