The measures are part of the Government's Respect agenda.
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Home Secretary Charles Clarke will today outline plans to make swearing in public a criminal offence.
The new measures are part of the Prime Minister's "Respect" agenda.
The Government is expected to propose compulsory "swear boxes" in town centres. The police will be given new powers to require offenders to make on the spot payments at the new payment kiosks.
Home Office minister Deirdre Hatchett
defended the proposals on BBC's Today programme. "We believe in freedom of speech", she said. "But rights come with responsibilities. You cannot shout 'fire' in a crowded theatre. Freedom to speak must be exercised with restraint. "
The Foreign Secretary said that many communities were deeply offended by swearing. "This does not affect anyone's right to express their opinion", he said in Blackburn. "But there is no need to offend people using four letter words. Elderly people are terrified by gangs of foul-mouthed youths day after day. Our citizens have the right to live in a decent society."
Leader of the Opposition David Cameron said that the Conservatives would look carefully at the Government's proposals. "We stand for basic moral values. We will be happy to back the Prime Minister if he is prepared to stand up to his own party. But we want to see detailed estimates of the costs of the swear-boxes before we decide our position."
Proscribed list
Chris Marshall, a Labour MP who has voted against the government twice this year, predicted that that there would be more rebels than in the vote on Iraq.
"I hope the Government will reconsider. I expect that the list of proscribed words will be significantly pruned when the Bill reaches Committee Stage", he said.
Ms Hatchett said the Government would listen carefully to the the rebels. "Of course we will want to hear the views of our MPs about the words that the new offence should cover", she said. "But the Government is committed to the principle that the freedom of speech is not and never has been a freedom to offend"
What would Jesus say?
Religious groups welcomed the government's proposals. Bishop of Wessex, the Rt Reverend Peter Blouse, said that society needed stronger moral leadership. "Obscenities are endangering the fabric of our communities. Many of the young men that I come across find it hard to communicate in any other way. This crackdown must include blasphemy as well as other swear-words"
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Zero tolerance of swearing will restore respect in our communities. This is a policy for the many not the few. We must be tough on offensive behaviour and tough on the causes of offensive behaviour.
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Conservative shadow attorney general Dominic Hawke said his party backed the plans to ban offensive language.
But he said the government was caving in to pressure from the moslem community.
"The Prime Minister is trying to buy the votes of British muslims who are turning away from Labour because of the war in Iraq." Mr Grieve told
BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
That claim was branded as nonsense by Mr Clarke.
"The government is not trying to buy votes," he insisted, saying ministers were responding to widespread concerns.
House of Lords
The Government's plans face a rough ride in the House of Lords. Last month, peers watered down plans to outlaw the spreading of terrorist publications and amended proposals on ID cards.
The Conservatives and Lib Dems are proposing an amendment designed to ensure that somebody would commit an offence only
if they acted recklessly or with intent to offend by swearing. The Liberal Democrats say that the ban should be limited to swearing in public places.
Peers claimed government plans could leave members of the armed services, poets and rock stars open to prosecution.
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