Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

I shall certainly seek to deal with the point raised by the noble Viscount, Lord Colville of Culross. I am happy to deal with the point raised by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lyell, but it is difficult to discuss provisions that have now been removed from the Bill. As I indicated earlier, the Government had wanted to listen to the nature of the debate, to consider the issues between now and Report and then return with a well considered response to those issues. That would have been my preference. Bearing in mind that I must be aware that the Committee has expressed its overwhelming position, I do not know how much utility there is in me dealing with all those points that may or may not need to be dealt with depending on what we do between now and Report, or between now and the Bill going to the other place. That is why I am reluctant to enter into a big debate on this at the moment. If the Committee were content with that, I could certainly deal with the point raised by the noble Viscount. I would be happy, if we could resolve the final view between now and Report, to write to noble Lords about that position. Perhaps that would be an adequate way of dealing with the matter.