To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received in favour of repeal of the so-called Waddington amendment in respect of incitement to homophobic hatred; and from which organisations he has received such representations. (268840)

As of 8 April, the Department has received a total of 89 representations expressing a view on the freedom of speech section. Of these, seven were in favour of repeal. They were from individuals rather than organisations. In its recent report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights repeated its view that the offence, without the so-called Waddington amendment, provides adequate safeguards for freedom of speech. Other organisations have issued separate public statements in favour of repeal, including Stonewall, Unison, and The British Humanist Association.