Equality Bill

I am sure the noble Baroness would not wish to be unfair to the Government in any respect, but it has been argued that, for example, the doctrine of proportionality is already part of European law and was therefore part of the law in this area before this Bill was ever thought of. The fact that the Government have put in "proportionate" has not produced some fresh or new element; it has stated the law as it is, but making it much clearer that benefits for those of a religious persuasion that were not proportionate to the issue would not qualify. This is not therefore a new part of law, although some noble Lords sitting in front of me have argued points about law which are perhaps best left to judges—I would not say merely to lawyers. There is not a new element in what the Government propose.