Parliamentary search - Equality Bill

Type

Parliamentary proceeding

Reference

716 c1197-266,1278-90

Session

2009-10

Department

Government Equalities Office

Legislative stage

Committee stage

Procedure

Government defeats

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber

Equality Bill. Brought from the Commons. Explanatory Notes HL Bill 20-EN also published.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Bills
House of Lords

Deposited Paper DEP2010-0237
Monday, 25 January 2010
Deposited papers
House of Lords

Deposited Paper DEP2010-0204
Monday, 25 January 2010
Deposited papers
House of Lords

Proceeding contributions

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1289-90 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, clearly it is an interesting suggestion—like the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, I was not aware of...

Lord Low of Dalston | 716 c1290 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Minister for that response. I would not expect to see it in the Equality Bill, ...

Show all contributions (121)

Lord Sentamu | 716 c1216-8 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I want to explain why I shall be supporting Amendments 98, 99 and 100, moved by the noble ...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1218 (Link to this contribution) I am very sorry to interrupt the most reverend Primate, but what he has just said is not the case. T...

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1211 (Link to this contribution) 98: Schedule 9, page 165, line 5, leave out "application is a proportionate means of complying" and ...

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1211-4 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, it is a privilege to open a debate of such importance and interest to so many people. I am...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1214-6 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, with permission I will speak to government Amendment 99A, but I will of course respond to ...

Lord Alli | 716 c1210 (Link to this contribution) We will differ on that matter. The issue in Amendment 97E is about the wording regarding sexual orie...

Lord Alli | 716 c1210 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I agree with the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Winchester—the first and the last ti...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1210 (Link to this contribution) There was no such agreement with Mr Reaney to which the noble Lord refers.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1208 (Link to this contribution) In the Amicus case the Minister referred to, the learned judge Mr Justice Richards went on to say: "...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1208-10 (Link to this contribution) The noble Lord is, as ever, completely right and I thank him for his remarks. Amendment 119A, as th...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1207-8 (Link to this contribution) Amendment 97E in the name of my noble friend Lord Alli would mean that a requirement related to sexu...

Lord Alli | 716 c1211 (Link to this contribution) I will certainly accept that, and with good grace. On the basis of that, I beg leave to withdraw the...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1211 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the noble Lord has expressed disappointment with all the Front Benches, but will he accept...

Lord Alli | 716 c1210-1 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, that is a point that confuses me; perhaps others can enlighten me. A civil marriage with a...

Lord Tebbit | 716 c1210 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the noble Lord is making an extremely interesting argument. Is it not broadly true that we...

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton | 716 c1200-1 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I support Amendment 119A moved by the noble Lord, Lord Alli. It feels very good to be supp...

Baroness Butler-Sloss | 716 c1200 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I have received a powerful letter from a Quaker telling me something I had not known befor...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1201-2 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Alli, suffers, as do the churches, from the determination of the Gove...

Baroness Greengross | 716 c1202 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I was privileged to attend here in Westminster the civil partnership celebration of a very...

Lord Harries of Pentregarth | 716 c1202 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I support Amendment 119A. The Government were absolutely right to respect the religious se...

Bishop of Chichester | 716 c1203 (Link to this contribution) I apologise for speaking again from these Benches, but one important distinction is being missed. A ...

Baroness Howe of Idlicote | 716 c1202-3 (Link to this contribution) I also support Amendment 119A. It is quite clear from the briefings, which we have had from all side...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1203-5 (Link to this contribution) First, we do not support Amendment 97E because it is not necessary. We hope that the noble Lord, Lor...

Lord Elystan-Morgan | 716 c1205 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I may be very naive in this matter. I was not present in the House in 2004 when the Civil ...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1205-7 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I have already declared my interests at the start of Committee stage. There is a further i...

Lord Alli | 716 c1197 (Link to this contribution) 97E: Schedule 9, page 165, line 3, leave out paragraph (f)

Lord Alli | 716 c1197-9 (Link to this contribution) I shall also speak to Amendment 119A tabled in my name and those of the noble Baronesses, Lady Campb...

Baroness Neuberger | 716 c1199-200 (Link to this contribution) I wish to speak to Amendment 119A. As the noble Lord, Lord Alli, has cited, it is four years since c...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1286 (Link to this contribution) I was really following the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Craig of Radley, when he pointed out that in...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1286 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the noble Lord. He keeps using the phrase "the front line", but does he realise tha...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1286-8 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Lord, Lord Low, for tabling this important amendment. We have give...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1288-9 (Link to this contribution) If the noble Lord will allow me, I find this a fascinating suggestion. Had it come earlier it might ...

Lord Low of Dalston | 716 c1288 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to everyone who has spoken. In particular, I am grateful to my noble and gallant frien...

Lord Low of Dalston | 716 c1289 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the noble Lord for his positive intervention. I did not raise this before only beca...

Lord Low of Dalston | 716 c1278 (Link to this contribution) 101D: Schedule 9, page 165, line 39, at end insert— "( ) a requirement not to be a disabled person"

Baroness Turner of Camden | 716 c1266 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that very detailed response. I also thank noble Lords who have...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1266 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, it does. I am sorry. I misunderstood the question and gave the wrong answer.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1283-4 (Link to this contribution) I do not intend to draw upon my rather inglorious career in national service as a second lieutenant ...

Lord Craig of Radley | 716 c1281-3 (Link to this contribution) I would like to start by recognising the determination and commitment to this theme of the noble Lor...

Baroness Wilkins | 716 c1281 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I strongly support Amendment 101D moved by the noble Lord, Lord Low, which seeks to remove...

Lord Low of Dalston | 716 c1278-81 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, in moving Amendment 101D, I shall speak also to Amendments 101E and 101F, which all amend ...

Baroness Howe of Idlicote | 716 c1284-5 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I also support my noble friend Lord Low’s amendment. Listening to this discussion takes me...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1285 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Low of Dalston, who put across his amendments in a v...

Baroness Masham of Ilton | 716 c1284 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, in this amendment we speak of brave and honourable people, who have risked their lives. To...

Lord Mackay of Clashfern | 716 c1265 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the amendment that requires to be withdrawn is the one put forward by the noble Baroness, ...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1262-5 (Link to this contribution) The noble Lord is right; hopefully, it will mean that the law can be easily read. Amendment 125A wo...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1262 (Link to this contribution) Would it be right to say that one of the main purposes of the Bill is to state the law accurately, s...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1265 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I give that undertaking willingly. Amendments 101ZA and 101C seek to tighten up the draft...

Lord Patten | 716 c1265 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, before the noble Baroness leaves this important point, will she be kind enough to ensure t...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1261-2 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, there are various matters in this debate that need to be answered and I will do my best to...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1262 (Link to this contribution) I do not know the answer to that in detail because I have not made that comparison myself. As the no...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1262 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the Minister carefully used the words "replicate the effect of". Does that means that she ...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1266 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, it says "sexual orientation", so that is what it means.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1266 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I am completely satisfied and would not dream of moving either of my amendments. However, ...

Baroness Whitaker | 716 c1260 (Link to this contribution) I came into this debate not to speak but to listen. However, I am getting extremely confused. Perhap...

Lord Warner | 716 c1259 (Link to this contribution) I do not want to delay this debate much longer and I do not disagree with the noble Lord. I was real...

Lord Elton | 716 c1259 (Link to this contribution) Perhaps I may address the point that the noble Lord, Lord Warner, made. I am a little puzzled by his...

Lord Patten | 716 c1259 (Link to this contribution) I do not much care for the noble Lord’s smear of Catholic adoption agencies that they have somehow b...

Lord Warner | 716 c1259 (Link to this contribution) Does the noble Lord not think that, when public bodies responsible for providing public services con...

Lord Patten | 716 c1257-9 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I support my noble and learned friend Lord Mackay in his Amendment 125A. Between us we jus...

Lord Elton | 716 c1256-7 (Link to this contribution) The interests of the user of a service is surely not something for another day, but for us to consid...

Lord Warner | 716 c1256 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, to answer the right reverend Prelate, I do not think we were talking at cross purposes. I ...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1256 (Link to this contribution) Before the noble Lord, Lord Warner, replies, may I add a point that has not yet been made and which ...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1255 (Link to this contribution) Does the noble Lord agree that he and I are talking at cross purposes about two quite different situ...

Lord Hunt of Wirral | 716 c1260-1 (Link to this contribution) I thought that the primary purpose of this Bill was to simplify and codify the law. Perhaps I have c...

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1239-40 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I am very grateful to all those who have taken part in this debate. I am grateful to the M...

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1243 (Link to this contribution) 99: Schedule 9, page 165, line 8, leave out "application is a proportionate means of avoiding confli...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1243 (Link to this contribution) 99A: Schedule 9, page 165, line 10, at end insert— "( ) Employment is for the purposes of an organis...

Baroness Hayman | 716 c1246 (Link to this contribution) I inform the House that if Amendment 100 is agreed, I cannot call Amendment 100A because of pre-empt...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1239 (Link to this contribution) Primate, I beg your pardon: he is indeed a Primate, my Lady. They asked about court decisions. The ...

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1246 (Link to this contribution) 100: Schedule 9, page 165, line 13, leave out sub-paragraph (8)

Baroness O'Cathain | 716 c1246 (Link to this contribution) I wish to test the opinion of the House. Division on Amendment 100 Contents 177; Not-Contents 172....

Baroness Turner of Camden | 716 c1249 (Link to this contribution) 101ZA: Schedule 9, page 165, line 26, leave out "an" and insert "a genuine"

Baroness Turner of Camden | 716 c1249 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, in moving Amendment 101ZA, I shall also speak to the other amendments in the group.

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1252-3 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I welcome the amendment in the name of the noble and learned Lord and what he said about i...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1253-4 (Link to this contribution) Perhaps the right reverend Prelate would tell me whether he read the last bit of paragraph 176. The ...

Lord Mackay of Clashfern | 716 c1251-2 (Link to this contribution) I will allow the noble Baroness, Lady Turner, out of her difficulty by explaining what my amendment ...

Baroness Turner of Camden | 716 c1249-50 (Link to this contribution) Amendment 101ZA seeks to make a relatively minor amendment to the part of the Bill that lays down re...

Baroness Thornton | 716 c1249 (Link to this contribution) Would noble Lords please leave the Chamber quietly?

Lord Warner | 716 c1254-5 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I support the spirit of Amendments 101A, 101B and 101C. I am particularly attracted to the...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1254 (Link to this contribution) I read to the end of the paragraph and it is side-lined in my text. But I am intrigued by the langua...

Lord Harries of Pentregarth | 716 c1229 (Link to this contribution) I am sorry to interrupt the right reverend Prelate, but the whole tenor of his speech seems to be in...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1229 (Link to this contribution) That is not the point, as I and others see it. It seems precisely that, just as the noble and learne...

Lord Warner | 716 c1229 (Link to this contribution) Does the right reverend Prelate accept that, even if this Committee passes the amendments proposed b...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1229 (Link to this contribution) No. We have heard that point argued on different sides of the Committee by eminent lawyers and I am ...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1230 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, the right reverend Prelate said that I have not been accurate. Does he mean by that that I...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1230 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, that would be a case for a judge, not for me.

Baroness Deech | 716 c1230 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I have thought long and hard about this matter and I wish to share a short and general tho...

Bishop of Exeter | 716 c1232 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Lester, for taking us in his inimitable way through ...

Lord Tebbit | 716 c1232 (Link to this contribution) I will just make one short observation. It seems from what has been said from the Benches opposite a...

Baroness Warsi | 716 c1233-4 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, that is a very interesting point at which to rise. I noted earlier the comments made by th...

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton | 716 c1234 (Link to this contribution) I am sure the noble Baroness would not wish to be unfair to the Government in any respect, but it ha...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1233 (Link to this contribution) Before the noble Lord sits down, would he agree that the rule of law—

Lord Sentamu | 716 c1238 (Link to this contribution) I am very grateful for the noble Baroness’s explanation. However, I am still not sure what is meant ...

Baroness Warsi | 716 c1234-5 (Link to this contribution) The noble Lord makes an important point and it is to clear up that confusion that I raised these que...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1235-8 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, this has been an excellent debate on an important group of amendments. I have to say that ...

Baroness Trumpington | 716 c1239 (Link to this contribution) He is a Primate, not a Prelate.

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford | 716 c1224 (Link to this contribution) Would the noble Lord explain how other members of the European Community—France, for example, and Ge...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1224-5 (Link to this contribution) I am not addressing the issues about faith schools at this stage and it is confusing to do that. I p...

Baroness Turner of Camden | 716 c1222 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, these amendments deal with the requirements which an employer with a religious ethos may d...

Lord Davies of Coity | 716 c1222-3 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, noble Lords might recall that at Second Reading and on the second day of Committee I expre...

Baroness Butler-Sloss | 716 c1219-21 (Link to this contribution) I have added my name to Amendments 98, 99 and 100. In the same way as the noble Baroness, Lady Campb...

Lord Sentamu | 716 c1219 (Link to this contribution) I am still puzzled, given that in 2004 the Government successfully defended the compatibility of the...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1228-9 (Link to this contribution) The freshness is because the Government have all along said, although we have not accepted it, that ...

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton | 716 c1228 (Link to this contribution) I hesitate to interrupt the right reverend Prelate again, but surely the word "proportionate" is alr...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1228 (Link to this contribution) Obviously I am aware of the material from which the noble Lord has quoted, but it remains my content...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1227-8 (Link to this contribution) Is the right reverend Prelate aware that Article 4(1) of the framework directive states specifically...

Bishop of Winchester | 716 c1226-7 (Link to this contribution) The more I listen to the noble Lord, the more I find, as was the case when I listened to the noble B...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1226 (Link to this contribution) My memory is normally terrible, but I think what happened was that the House did approve them, the C...

Lord Campbell of Alloway | 716 c1226 (Link to this contribution) Those amendments were moved by me to get religious toleration an exclusion from the very sort of pos...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1225 (Link to this contribution) Of course there is a difference in the wording. But in each case, under the regulations and now, the...

Baroness Butler-Sloss | 716 c1225 (Link to this contribution) Does the noble Lord see any difference between the wording in Regulation 7(3), which did not have pr...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1225 (Link to this contribution) I believe that the Bill strikes a fair balance and that the removal of the principle of proportional...

Lord Graham of Edmonton | 716 c1230-2 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I rise to make a brief intervention. Over the weekend, I listened to the warning given to ...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1223-4 (Link to this contribution) I hope in this debate that I am the lighthouse and not the aircraft carrier, but we will see. Before...

Lord Sentamu | 716 c1251 (Link to this contribution) The noble Lord said that the Lords Spiritual were like turkeys voting for Christmas. Actually, the G...

Lord Lester of Herne Hill | 716 c1250-1 (Link to this contribution) I shall speak to this group of amendments as a whole. I cannot resist making the observation that, i...

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon | 716 c1238-9 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, as I mentioned when I originally spoke to this amendment, the Secretary General of the Syn...

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford | 716 c1221-2 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I want to widen the debate somewhat, because it touches the very roots of democracy in soc...

EC documents

DIR2000/78/EC

Notes

In the second division Lord Layard should be included in the list of those voting Content in place of Lord Lamont of Lerwick.

Subjects

Disability

Conditions of employment

Civil partnerships

Care homes

Adoption

Armed forces

Clergy

Employment

Equality

Homosexuality

EU law

Fire and rescue services

Discrimination

Dismissal

Marriage

Police

Public sector

Religion

Sexuality

Transgender people

Legislation

Equality Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10

Link

View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk