Member

I will start with the noble Lord, Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, who commenced this discussion, along with the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett. Any amendment to Section 7 of the Public Order Act requires, first, an affirmative resolution. That is why we are here today and why the House of Commons considered it. I accept that an affirmative resolution is not amendable but it is rejectable, should the House wish to do so, meaning that we can debate and afford a proper scrutiny of that matter, as has happened today. This debate should have taken place in the Moses Room. It is here today because the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, has, within her rights, put the Government on the spot to defend the legislation. I have no complaints about that, but this House can support or reject that amendment.