Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Thursday 22nd May 2025 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

9. Whether the Commission is taking steps to comply with the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v. the Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)]

The House of Commons Commission is always concerned to comply with the law. The policies and guidance of the House have been reviewed and it does not appear that any immediate changes are required as a result of the judgment. However, we are keeping this under consideration. We will be looking at the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance following its publication in draft just two days ago.

[John Lamont]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his response, but the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has said that we “can and must” uphold the

“rights, the freedoms, the spaces for women as sex-based rights”.

I am therefore extremely concerned to hear reports that the House of Commons is not following the EHRC interim guidance that biological men should not be allowed to use women’s facilities. Does the hon. Member agree that the protection of female Members and women who work here is vital, and that the law, as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling, must be followed immediately?

[Nick Smith]

I thank the hon. Member for his question and can assure him that officials have reviewed the guidance and the policies of the House and consider that the Commission is complying with the law. But we will review the positions once the final EHRC guidance is produced.