Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Conversion Therapy Ban

Wednesday 30 March 2022 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government remains committed to bringing forward proposals to ban conversion therapy practices.
  • Consultation results are being analyzed, and legislation will be developed and brought forward later in spring.
  • Government acknowledges continued harmful conversion practices, necessitating urgent action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Women & Equalities
Context

The Government has pledged to ban conversion therapy, but there is no clear timeline for legislative action. A consultation period recently concluded.

Question

What the Government's timetable is for publishing a Bill on banning conversion therapy. The Minister acknowledged a personal statement from Dr Wallis and expressed support for him, highlighting the need for people to be safe in their identity.

Answer from Mike Freer

We remain wholly committed to bringing forward proposals to ban conversion therapy practices. We recently concluded a consultation period on the proposals being analysed, based on which we will be developing legislation to be brought forward later this spring.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for publishing the Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Women & Equalities
Context

The Cabinet Office tendered a contract for the provision of conversion therapy victim support, raising concerns about a consent loophole in Government proposals.

Question

Does he agree that including a consent loophole in the Government's proposals to ban conversion therapy will allow some of its worst practitioners off the hook, inevitably creating more victims who will need support?

Answer from Mike Freer

No, we do not agree. We believe that in a free and open society, consenting adults should be able to take informed decisions for themselves provided there is appropriate advice and information.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding consent loophole

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Women & Equalities
Context

The consultation on banning conversion therapy has concluded, but there is no clear timeline from the Government.

Question

As the Minister rightly said, it has now been two months since the consultation on banning conversion therapy closed and almost three years since the Government made the pledge to ban this insidious practice. Why is it taking so long?

Answer from Mike Freer

We have taken time to analyse the results of a significant response from the consultation and are bringing forward legislation later this spring.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons for delay

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Women & Equalities
Context

The Government is committed to banning conversion therapy but there is no clear timetable for legislative action.

Question

Can the Minister reassure me, and indeed the whole House, that legislation on conversion therapy will be introduced prior to the conference scheduled in the summer?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Government remain committed to bringing forward the legislation. A Bill team has been stood up and we are progressing at pace, but it is a matter for business managers when the exact parliamentary slot will be.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding timing of legislative introduction

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Women & Equalities
Context

The proposed Bill aims to ban certain conversion therapy practices in the UK, but evidence of unacceptable practices is unclear.

Question

What evidence has come to light of unacceptable conversion therapy practices in the UK that are not already illegal?

Answer from Mike Freer

Both the national LGBT survey and the Coventry report demonstrated that violent and harmful talking conversion practices continue to take place, which is why we need to act.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

The Scottish Government are establishing an expert advisory group to inform their approach to banning conversion practices, reflecting the urgency of the issue.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the UK Government's approach will be taken forward on a similarly inclusive and urgent basis?

Answer from Mike Freer

We are taking it forward on an urgent basis. Since I took up the role with responsibility for LGBT+ issues, I have engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders, including those who have been victims of conversion therapy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding inclusivity and urgency

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)