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Equality Bill

My Lords, there are various matters in this debate that need to be answered and I will do my best to do so, while being mindful of the time. With the leave of the House, I will answer the questions turned about—that is, I shall refer first to the amendment of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay, and then move on to the others, because that will work better. I say to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Winchester who, along with some other noble Lords, has suggested that there was little or no debate about Schedule 23 in Committee in another place, that that is not so. Similar amendments to both Amendments 125A and 125B were tabled and debated at some length. In answer to the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, the provisions in Schedule 9(3) and Schedule 23(2) replicate the effect of current provisions. I hope that that point will deal with most of these amendments.