Equality Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 193:"Page 32, line 18, at end insert ““(but this exception does not have effect in relation to harassment)””" The noble Baroness said: In speaking to Amendment No. 193, I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 193, 194, 195 and 196. These are further amendments to do with the extent to which exemption from the harassment provisions of this Bill may be necessary. We have already considered the question of a general exemption for matters to do with the curriculum and religious worship in schools, and have taken an amendment to remove too wide an exemption from harassment for education authorities. These amendments bring provision for other public authorities into line with these other areas. Thus, while we propose that the full exemption in relation to matters to do with the curriculum and religious worship should continue to apply to action taken by public authorities for the reasons I set out earlier in this debate, when I explained them in relation to schools, we see no reason why in any other situation they should need to be allowed effectively to harass anyone. Their position in this respect is no different from that of education authorities. We want to make it clear that exemptions allowing harassment within the terms of the Bill are limited to those areas and cases where they are absolutely necessary. These amendments accordingly make it explicit on the face of the Bill that harassment is not protected in relation to the other exemptions in Clause 54(4)(h). I beg to move.