Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Debate between Edward Leigh and John Hemming

Monday 20th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD)]

I support the Bill, but I also have some concerns, which is why I have signed new clause 6. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need to start understanding people’s sensitivities, instead of trying to impose a secular consensus on the faith organisations?

[Mr Leigh]

Absolutely. My hon. Friend, who speaks from the Liberal Democrat Benches, makes the point in a calm and measured way, far better than I could.

Family Justice (Transparency, Accountability and Cost of Living) Bill

Debate between Edward Leigh and John Hemming

Friday 26th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[John Hemming]

That comes to the question of what is in the best interests of the child. The children’s services authority has decided in the circumstances that in its opinion it is in the best interests of the child for him to remain with his father, not with his grandfather. I tend to share the hon. Gentleman’s view that that seems a perverse decision. However, that decision of the children’s services authority is not subject to any intellectual scrutiny beyond the court hearing. To a very great extent, judges are trapped and have to accept the expert opinion provided to them. The hon. Gentleman may be aware of the Daubert procedure in America, where expert evidence is taken to an expert evidence appeal. I am not suggesting that here. What I am suggesting is that there should be a scrutiny process to look at such situations. What he describes is not unique. I am aware of other similar situations—

[Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

rose—