Draft Conversion Practices Bill

Debate between Lord Collins of Highbury and Baroness Wheeler

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Deputy Leader of the House of Lords (Lord Collins of Highbury) (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lords for their questions. I am acutely aware that there is a consensus across this House. There are no bipartisan divides here. The previous Government were committed to the principle of this legislation, and I welcomed it at the time. So, irrespective of what the noble Baroness says, there is consensus and there is concern. At the end of the day—I agree with the noble Baroness here—we can all agree that no one should face abuse just because of who they are, and our draft Bill is about protecting LGBT+ people from serious physical and psychological harm.

The Galop anti-abuse charity has for many years supported people who have suffered abuse. It is only reflecting the evidence that has been given to it. We must be clear that we are talking about victims of severe abuse here. One case of this abuse is one too many, which is why we are criminalising it. So let us not say that we are getting this out of proportion.

The noble Lord, Lord Scriven, addressed the fact that there are gaps in the existing law that mean we cannot prosecute offences properly with domestic abuse legislation. For example, on coercive control, the legislation is designed for someone who has a relationship with an intimate partner, and it would not capture an offence committed by someone they did not know. There are many other examples of gaps in the law that need to be addressed.

Secondly, the noble Baroness missed an important point: for the first time, we will have a clear definition in law of conversion practice. As with other offences, such as upskirting or non-fatal strangulation, a definition is important to help victims understand what has happened to them and be able to come forward, and for prosecutors to build a case. I am confident that there is a need to legislate in this area.

On the points that both noble Lords raised about parents and legislation, I want to be absolutely clear that this Government and this law will not dictate how people raise their children. Our measures are not intended to infringe on the right of parents to bring up their children in line with their beliefs or core values. We are absolutely clear that the ban must be balanced and targeted so as not to impinge on legitimate healthcare or the range of broader support that those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity might seek or receive. I also stress that this draft Bill is not about regulating medical care. We understand how important it is that people get the medical support they need, depending on their particular needs and circumstances. This is a matter for the DHSC and the NHS.

I and Minister Bailey in the other place have been clear right from the beginning about the importance of the pre-legislative scrutiny. I very much welcome the fact that the Liaison Committee has agreed to this. It will be scheduled and the usual channels will bring forward calls for participation in that committee fairly shortly. That will hopefully be a great opportunity to reassure people about what are genuine questions and concerns that we should not be afraid to deal with. Many people in this House know and have met people who have experienced the abuse defined in this Bill, so I hope that through the pre-legislative scrutiny we can all come together and return to the consensus that we have had on dealing with this terrible abuse.

[Captain of the King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard and Deputy Chief Whip (Baroness Wheeler) (Lab)]

My Lords, I gently remind noble Lords that this next session of 20 minutes is for Back-Bench questions only. We will start with the Conservatives and then work our way around.

Tigray

Debate between Lord Collins of Highbury and Baroness Wheeler

Monday 4th July 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia.

[Baroness Wheeler (Lab)]

On behalf of my noble friend, and with his permission, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper.