Clause 4 - Successful applications
Gender Recognition Bill [Lords]
10:00 am
Ms Maria Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Minister for Disabled People), Department for Work and Pensions; Liverpool, Garston, Labour)
No, I am saying that it is blindingly obvious that there could be problems. I have not seen legal advice; nor did I seek any before dealing with the amendments. I do not have legal advice that I could wave at the hon. Gentleman, but it is clear that there could be problems.
The Bill gives transsexual people full legal recognition for their acquired gender, and that is what they seek. We must recognise, however, that once legal recognition is granted, no choice remains about which gender people can be seen as, and they must be seen and treated as being of their new gender for all purposes. That is the basic problem thrown up by the amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for City of York, despite the powerful and persuasive case that he made on his constituent's behalf. He sent us a letter about his constituent's case, and although it would not be right to discuss in detail the best way
forward for his constituent, I undertake to reply to his letter with further advice.