Sexual Offences (Pardons Etc) Bill Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Justice
Margaret Ferrier
Main Page: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)Department Debates - View all Margaret Ferrier's debates with the Ministry of Justice
Friday 21st October 2016
(8 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Sexual Offences (Pardons Etc.) Bill 2016-17 View all Sexual Offences (Pardons Etc.) Bill 2016-17 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)
We have made great strides towards equality, but we still live with the legacy of antiquated legislation. We need only to look at certain Commonwealth countries for examples. In some cases, the anti-gay laws are mirror copies of those that existed here. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that if we are to start making reparations for this wrongdoing in addition to pardoning those who were convicted, we must seek to influence other members of the Commonwealth where gay men and women do not enjoy the freedom to be who they are?
Chris Bryant
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. Indeed, when I was a Foreign Office Minister for about two and a half seconds—