Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 February (HL727), what consideration they have given to requiring allegations of an offence of stirring up religious hatred to be supported by two witnesses, in order to restrict frivolous complaints.

It is an operational matter for the police to determine whether and how to investigate all incidents reported to them. The Crown Prosecution Service will also apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors to ensure a prosecution will not proceed where a complaint is deemed to be frivolous. Decisions to prosecute are furthermore subject to consideration under the Freedom of Expression defence contained in Section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986.