Equality Bill [HL]

This has been quite a long debate on two amendments. First, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Lester, for again telling us about the law and particularly pointing out that this has been the case for the past 30 years. I would only say to the noble Lord that of course I do not know about 30 years ago in these terms as I was not here and I am not a lawyer. Having said that, I should like to thank particularly my noble friend for advancing support for my amendment, which looks as though it may be ““unnecessary”” or ““inappropriate””. I put it in those terms. I would just say to my noble friend, however, that I did not suggest that it had to be like support. My amendment said:"““The Commission may, at its discretion””," not that the commission ““had to””. In view of everything that has been said, of course I shall withdraw my amendment. In doing so, I should say to the Minister that I shall read very carefully what the noble Lord, Lord Lester, and the noble Baroness have said, and then decide what I should do. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 131 not moved.]