Most of the act's provisions were merely a consolidation of already existing legislation, and as such subject to little controversy, with the notable exception was section 80, which partially decriminalised private homosexual acts between consenting adults in Scotland.

As a result of policy directions by the Lord Advocate, private and consensual homosexual acts between people over 21 had ceased to be actively prosecuted by the late 1970's.

The Bill, however, was not considered a priority by the Government and therefore was never put up to a vote in the House of Commons.

The provisions decriminalising homosexuality were introduced through an amendment proposed by Robin Cook MP.

I am pleased to see both representatives of that party in their place, and I hope to convert them in the remainder of my remarks.