Equality Bill

Does my hon. Friend share the concern of a wide spread of Christian denominations, from the Church of England through to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, which do not understand why the Government have departed from their position in the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003? In the 2004 Amicus case, the Government said that they were engaged in""striking a delicate balance between the employment rights of gay and lesbian people, and the right of religious groups to freedom of religion"," and that they were""concerned it would lead to litigation in tribunals about the extent to which requirements dictated by doctrine or the religious convictions of followers could legitimately limit working for an organised religion"" Is it not the case that the provisions will affect that balance and strike at the heart of religious liberty?