Equality Bill [HL]

I hope that noble Lords will allow me to express the pleasure I feel at having agreement between the noble Earl, Lord Ferrers, the noble Lords, Lord Waddington and Lord Lester, and   the noble Baronesses, Lady O’Cathain and Lady Miller. I think we have a first! I hope that I shall be able to sort out some of the worries of noble Lords. I think that the noble Baroness, Lady O’Cathain, has a point, but not quite the point that other noble Lords may think. First, I make it absolutely clear that the harassment provisions in the Bill will apply only to the work of public authorities in the letting and management of their premises. They will not apply in the provision of goods, facilities or services by non-public bodies. The noble Earl needs to be content that private hotels do not fall within this definition. I am talking about what public authorities do and the discharge of their duty.