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Equality Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 15:"Page 60, line 34, at end insert—" 31A   (1)   The Commission shall establish a decision-making committee to be known as the Greater London Committee. (2)   The Commission shall ensure that the Greater London Committee is established before any of sections 8 to 13 come into force (to any extent). 31B      The Commission shall appoint as the Chairman of the Greater London Committee a Commissioner appointed for the purpose of satisfying paragraph 2(2)(ca). 31C      The Commission shall appoint each member of the Greater London Committee for a period of not less than two years or more than five years, subject to the possibilities of— (a)   reappointment, and (b)   dismissal in accordance with the terms of appointment. 31D      The Commission shall, in appointing members of the Greater London Committee, ensure that the Committee includes— (a)   persons no fewer than half of whom have personal or direct experience of one or more of the causes of discrimination or prejudice referred to in sections 10 and 11(2), (b)   not less than one person who is (or has been) a disabled person, (c)   persons no fewer than one half of whom are women, and (d)   persons no fewer than one half of whom are from a black or other ethnic minority background. 31E      The Greater London Committee shall advise the Commission about the exercise of its functions in so far as they affect Greater London. 31F      Before exercising a function in a manner which in the opinion of the Commission is likely to affect persons in Greater London, the Commission shall consult the Greater London Committee. 31G   (1)   The power under section 14— (a)   shall be treated by virtue of this paragraph as having been delegated by the Commission to the Greater London Committee in so far as its exercise, in the opinion of the Commission, affects Greater London, and (b)   to that extent shall not be exercisable by the Commission. (2)   Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to the power under section 14 in so far as it is treated as delegated to the Disability Committee in accordance with paragraph 52. (3)   Sub-paragraph (1) shall not prevent the Commission from making arrangements under section 14(1)(d) or (e) for the provision of advice or guidance to persons anywhere in Great Britain. 31H   (1)   The power under section 12(2)(c)— (a)   shall be treated by virtue of this paragraph as having been delegated by the Commission to the Greater London Committee in so far as it concerns the giving of advice to devolved government about enactments which, in the opinion of the Commission, affect only Greater London, and (b)   to that extent shall not be exercisable by the Commission. (2)   The power under section 12(2)(d)— (a)   shall be treated by virtue of this paragraph as having been delegated by the Commission to the Greater London Committee in so far as it concerns the giving of advice to devolved government about proposed changes in the law which, in the opinion of the Commission, would affect only Greater London, and (b)   to that extent shall not be exercisable by the Commission. (3)   Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to the power under section 12(2)(c) and (d) in so far as they are treated as delegated to the Disability Committee in accordance with paragraph 52. 31I      In allocating its resources the Commission shall ensure that the Greater London Committee receives a share sufficient to enable it to exercise its functions.”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, Amendment No. 15 establishes a decision-making committee to be known as the Greater London Committee. It follows the same principles as the previous debate on representativeness in as much as it seeks to prescribe what the commission should be doing. The Equality Bill is relatively silent on how the Commission on Equality and Human Rights will have a regional presence and relate to existing regional structures. Once again, I point to the anomaly that the Bill specifies responsibilities for Scotland and Wales but does not recognise other existing regional arrangements. It does not state how the commission will align itself with such arrangements. In the context of London, particularly Greater London, we are talking about the most ethnically and culturally diverse capital city in the world. Its uniqueness is characterised by an elected mayor with statutory responsibilities and duties on equality that are exceptional and warrant a parallel recognition of London’s importance alongside those of Scotland and Wales, notwithstanding the fact that they are nation states. We have to address, however, the demography of Greater London, and the fact that it is seen as a place the world comes to. London’s diversity is recognised globally. What undoubtedly captured the world and made 2012 a reality for London was its cultural, global and ethnic diversity. It was the nap hand that won the Olympics for us. Our culture of diversity is second to none. Even in the United States and Canada, two countries that see themselves as advanced in the area of promoting ethnic, racial and gender equality, they look at the work we do in this capital city and sometimes marvel at it. Notwithstanding the fact that we still have much to do, we have achieved a great deal in the way we have organised coherently, with that statutory responsibility placed on the Mayor of London, to bring about a real engagement with the communities, and we have sought to parallel the concerns to achieve outcomes related to the needs of the different groups of people represented in this city. Of course there is great complexity, but we look to London for its leadership role, not only in managing equality in the Greater London area, but also how the city becomes an exemplar for other countries. There are times when people see London as overexposed and, because of its resources, diversity and profile, wanting to tell others how to do things. This is clearly not the case, because what happens in London cannot happen elsewhere. We are as unique as every other part of this great nation is unique. Rural racism, and how we address that, is quite different from racism in the urban environments, such as estates. That is an important part of our diversity. There is a lot to learn from the way in which we bring about greater cohesion, notwithstanding the wide range of problems. This amendment would enable us to see the commission establish, as a requirement, a Greater London committee with similar decision-making responsibilities as Scotland and Wales, aligned to the statutory arrangements that already exist for Greater London, and which the CEHR will have in place along with those for Scotland and Wales. I beg to move.