Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for reminding me of that point. He sent me a note earlier and I shall endeavour to respond to him. I have some statistical information which I can impart. Noble Lords have given voice to the fact that, in your Lordships’ House at least, creating the offences that we outline in the Bill has a rather shallow base of support. That may be the case, but, as has been said, our Government fought on a manifesto, which we take as a mandate, and this measure was included in that. It is also the case that this measure has widespread support outside your Lordships’ House. I quote an ICM poll in the Guardian which revealed that 57 per cent agreed with the statement that the new offence was needed to stop those who want to stir up hatred against people of particular religious faiths. Only 36 per cent responded that people should be allowed to express their opinions freely, however hateful. We know that extensive questions have been asked about the legislation, but, on the basis of that poll, it cannot be denied that there is support outside your Lordships’ House. Similarly, a Greater London Authority poll published in June this year indicated that some 72 per cent of Londoners supported the Government’s proposal with just 15 per cent opposing it. There is support for the measure, and for that reason we intend to proceed with the legislation.