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Proceeding contribution from Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 13 January 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Equality Bill.


Equality Bill

I am grateful to the Minister for asking me to be patient because what she has just said is obviously very important. The great Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple once said: "Whenever I travel on the Underground, I always intend to buy a ticket, but the fact there is a ticket collector at the other end just clinches it". Of course, we no longer have ticket collectors at the other end. I have not heard in the Minister’s reply any good reason why the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Low, which would add a fourth requirement, would do the slightest harm or impose an unreasonable duty. Since we all agree that the present situation is intolerable, I asked myself why one should not accept these words, or something like it, and I have not heard the answer. Perhaps the Minister is saying that she will think about it and come back; I see two Ministers nodding. Of course, the noble Lord, Lord Low, cannot see that, but he should know that they are nodding. That gives me some reassurance, but I tend to be a William Temple person.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
716 c563-4 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Disability Age Conscientious objectors Employment Equality Homosexuality EU law Information Harassment Discrimination Holidays Older people Pupils Package holidays Visual impairment Schools Religion Tax allowances Sexuality Taxation Religious buildings Teenage pregnancy Atheism Philosophy Church of Scientology Humanism Transgender people Reasonable adjustments
Legislation
Equality Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk