Question
T3. There is a clear distinction between discussion and disagreement, and harmful conversion practices. The Government’s draft Bill is clear in using the existing definition of abusive conduct in criminal law. Does the Minister agree with me that the protections in the Bill are urgently needed, and that before the end of this Session we should pass the comprehensive, trans-inclusive conversion practices ban that our manifesto called for?
Answer
Abusive conversion practices have no place in our country, and no one should face abuse because of who they are or who they love. We have brought forward a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny because we want to get it right. I look forward to the Joint Committee’s recommendations and to working across the House to finally deliver that long-overdue ban.67% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (32/100)
The reply confirms the government's intention to deliver the ban and describes it as long-overdue, which partly answers the question about whether the protections are needed. It does not explicitly say the protections are urgent, and its emphasis on pre-legislative scrutiny and getting the detail right pulls against any sense of urgency. On timing, the reply gives no date and no commitment to pass the Bill this Session, and it defers to the Joint Committee's recommendations. It also does not address the trans-inclusive scope the question specifically asked about. Overall the reply is largely hedged, and the person who asked would likely need to follow up for a timetable and a clear position on scope.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Minister agrees that the protections in the Government's draft Bill on conversion practices are urgently needed. | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply names the draft Bill and calls the ban "long-overdue" and something to "finally deliver", which implies the protections are needed, but it never explicitly says they are urgently needed. Its emphasis on pre-legislative scrutiny and "getting it right" also sits somewhat uneasily with urgency. |
| Whether the Government will commit to passing a comprehensive, trans-inclusive conversion practices ban, as called for in the Government's manifesto, before the end of this parliamentary Session. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply expresses a general commitment to "deliver that long-overdue ban" but gives no timetable, does not commit to passing it before the end of this Session, and does not address the trans-inclusive scope the question specifies. Deferring to the Joint Committee's recommendations leaves the timing question open. |