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Equality Bill [HL]

My Lords, I support my noble friends in their amendment, although I am sure that we shall hear reassurances from the Government that the amendment is unnecessary in the light of Clauses 59 to 61 and the provisions of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations. I take the view that religious liberty is too important to leave to chance. If we can place wording on the face of the Bill that makes the matter beyond doubt, we ought to do so. This amendment is a simple statement of assurance that the religious discrimination provisions of the Bill will not affect employment and membership within religious organisations. It will act as a discouragement to those who see the Bill as providing a whole new set of ammunition for attacks on religion or belief groups. It will act as a defence to which they can quickly turn when legal threats are intimated. It will provide clear guidance for the courts when cases are brought. I simply cannot see what could be wrong with including these words on the face of the Bill. I hope that the Minister will consider the importance of providing reassurance above the importance of neatness—something to which lawyers and civil servants can be pathologically attached.