Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2022 to Question 16907, whether she has held discussions about her legislative proposals on conversion therapy with representatives of (a) the NHS and (b) other signatories of the March 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on conversion therapy in the UK; if she will make it her policy to ban all forms of conversion therapy; and if she will make a statement.

My officials and I have met with stakeholders from across the spectrum when developing our approach to banning conversion practices to ensure that our proposals are effective and well understood. This includes meetings with victims of conversion practices, stakeholders from medical backgrounds including signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding, as well as representatives from a range of faiths and charities, and parliamentarians.

As soon as parliamentary time allows, we will introduce a Bill to ban conversion practices based on sexual orientation, while undertaking further work in relation to transgender conversion practices and delivering a comprehensive victim support service for all those affected or at risk.