Office for Students: Appointments

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Farmer

Tuesday 9th January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I certainly cannot answer that and I am not going to be drawn into it.

[Lord Farmer (Con)]

My Lords, the furore over the appointment of Toby Young exposed widespread distaste for a casual attitude towards the relational and other harms of pornography. The recent consultation on the internet safety strategy included no measures to mitigate these harms. Can my noble friend assure me that this will now receive thorough attention given that opinion seems to be shifting on pornography?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

As I believe we stated in the internet safety strategy, the issue of pornography will be considered as we develop the regulations and guidance on relationships and sex education, which the Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires us to make compulsory in all secondary schools in England. Evidence has shown that the easy availability of online pornography is changing the way that young people understand healthy relationships. We need to be aware of this and move forward.