Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to UK citizens of contravention of treaty rights under the European Convention on Human Rights in proposals for a Conversion Practices Bill; and whether they have sought their own legal advice in response to these specific concerns.

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.

As with all legislation, the Government is considering all possible impacts and relevant rights, in line with the requirement to consider the compatibility of legislation with Convention rights as an integral part of the policy-making process.

To be clear, any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling. It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.