International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 2006

rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 6 March be approved [21st Report from the Joint Committee]. The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the order was laid before the House on 6 March 2006 together with the Explanatory Memorandum now required for all affirmative statutory instruments. The draft order amends 10 orders made under the International Organisations Act 1968 by substituting ““spouse or civil partner”” for ““spouse””. These orders confer privileges and immunities on international organisations, which are all based outside the United Kingdom. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (International Immunities and Privileges, Companies and Adoption) Order 2005—SI 2005/3542—amended Sections 1 and 2 of the International Organisations Act to enable the United Kingdom to confer privileges and immunities on a civil partner. The Civil Partnership Act 2004, which came into force on 5 December 2005, provides a framework that allows formal recognition of same-sex relationships. Civil partners now have legally binding rights and responsibilities in relation to each other and have acquired a new status which affects how they are treated by third parties, including the state. One of the main aims of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is to ensure parity of treatment between married couples and civil partners, except where there is an objective justification for a difference in treatment. The amendments made in this order are required to ensure parity of treatment is accorded to civil partners. I am satisfied that the order is compatible with the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. The order is important, but I trust non-controversial. I hope that it will receive the support of noble Lords. I beg to move. Moved, that the order laid before the House on 6   March be approved [21st Report from the Joint Committee].—(Baroness Royall of Blaisdon.)