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Equality Bill

Listening to the debate, I feel a little like a spectator. I know that the noble Lord, Lord Lester, feels passionately on this subject and I have shared many a platform with him arguing the sort of issues we are now debating. I completely agree with the most reverend Primate in recognising that there is this chilling effect, about which we have to be really careful. I found myself agreeing with every word of the noble and right reverend Lord, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, who put forward a common-sense view as to why this was in the Bill. I am a little confused by the words of the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss. I listened with interest to the clarification of the noble Baroness, Lady Young of Hornsey. Above all, I am concerned that we may be creating an anomaly. I can hardly wait to hear the Minister’s response. I think that we have been standing side by side on the touchline, but now it is her turn to come on the pitch.