Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, with reference to the Answer of 8 October to Question 294685 on Social Media: Harrassment, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on political debate and discussion of anonymous abuse and threats on Twitter.

I refer the Hon. member to my previous response to his question 294685 on a similar subject. People on all sides of the political divide must be able to debate freely without being subject to personal threats and abuse. The Government recognises that rising levels of intimidation in public life can prevent talented people, particularly women and those from minority backgrounds, from standing for public office. I would be happy to meet the Hon. member to discuss any particular concerns he would like to raise with me on this issue.