Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

The Minister accused me of not being present during much of the earlier debate. That is perfectly true, as I had an appointment at the Ministry of Defence, having been invited by a Government official. I came here specifically to support my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe), and I have to say that what the Minister has just said is a travesty. The hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) was unable to debate the issue of prostitution as she wanted to. Furthermore, we were told by the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle)—I would like the Minister to confirm this—that the Government are apparently going to introduce, either in this Bill or in some other measure, a law to repeal the blasphemy provisions. Will he confirm whether that will be done in this Bill? Will he confirm whether the Government have made up their minds on the matter before consulting the Church of England? Parliament has not had the opportunity to debate it.