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Equality Bill

We will differ on that matter. The issue in Amendment 97E is about the wording regarding sexual orientation, and I would like the Government to look at that and see if they can do something about it. The noble Lord, Lord Hunt of Wirral, asked a question about women priests. The noble Lord and I should maybe avoid that entire debate at this stage of Committee as I fear it could go on for some time, but I would say to him that to my knowledge there are no women priests, in any church, trying to conceal their gender for fear of discrimination. There is a significant difference between sexuality and gender. I thank all those who have spoken on Amendment 119A. The majority of speakers, with the exception of the Benches Spiritual, reflected the mood of most people outside this House, where there would not be an objection to this. This is a permissive amendment. It does not seek to force the churches into taking any kind of action. It simply seeks to remove the prohibition. Most people would probably judge that to be a fair thing.