Equality Bill

I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this brief debate. The noble Baroness, Lady Morris, said that she looked forward to the Government’s response to Amendments 76 and 77 from the noble Lord, Lord Lester. I included that when I dealt with government Amendments 75, 78 and 79—I said that the wording of our amendment, and that of the noble Lord, Lord Lester, is different, but we believe the effect to be substantially the same, and that our amendments have the desired effect. Therefore, we would prefer our amendments to Amendments 76 and 77. I have heard very clearly what noble Lords—especially the noble Lord, Lord Lester, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern—have said about Amendment 74—