Children: Gender Dysphoria

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne Excerpts

Wednesday 17th October 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

I agree with the noble Baroness that this is a very real condition; it is rare, particularly in children, but nevertheless it is real. Therefore it is appropriate that those who have it should get the right support. As the noble Baroness, Lady Barker, pointed out, that support may be psychological or endocrinological —whatever is required, multidisciplinary teams will provide it. There has been an increase in the number of resources available as well as a cultural change towards greater acceptance. Ultimately, what this comes down to, and what people worry about, is that children are pressured into being one thing or another when they should be allowed to be themselves.

[Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Con)]

The Minister has mentioned the GRA consultation document already, which is on the web. Would he consider reviewing, withdrawing and reissuing that document? I have known a number of people try to fill it in and it is a little difficult; the language is complex, opaque and many of the linguistic terms are not readily used. I am not certain whether the general public, with whom we are consulting, are normally ready to read 100 pages of explanation before finding a small number of questions in the middle. It is a monumentally complicated paper, which has had little academic consultation, and people with less than a higher level of education have told me they simply cannot understand it. Will the Minister consider reviewing that document?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

It is important to distinguish the provisions of the Gender Recognition Act from the health services provided for people with gender dysphoria. Nevertheless I take the noble Baroness’s comments on board; I know some concerns over the document have been raised with the Government Equalities Office, which has responsibility for it; the Department of Health does not have direct responsibility.

Sex-selective Abortion

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne Excerpts

Monday 7th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, the statistics are collected on the basis of birth across the population. They are then analysed in 500 different ways. In only one of those 500, which concerned the third or further child given birth to by women from Nepal, was there any variation from what one would expect. I can assure noble Lords that the statistical analysis is very robust.

[Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (LD)]

My Lords, while welcoming the appointment of the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, as the Minister with responsibility for women and children and for tackling violence against women and children overseas, given the prevalence of this abortion of female foetuses and the prevalence of FGM among certain girls under five, are the Government thinking of appointing a Minister for violence against women and children in the United Kingdom?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, I am not aware that we are giving consideration to that, but I will find out and write to the noble Baroness.

Winterbourne View

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne Excerpts

Wednesday 8th June 2011 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Listowel]

My Lords—

[Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne]

My Lords—

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, we have reached 10 minutes and should progress to the next item of business.