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Proceeding contribution from Lord Sentamu (Bishops (affiliation)) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 9 February 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Equality Bill.

Equality Bill

I fail to understand why the figure 250 has been picked. What matters is that people are not discriminated against either overtly or covertly and it does not matter whether the employees are five, 20, 100 or 1,000. Discrimination is discrimination, so I am surprised by the number. It may sound interesting, but mathematical calculations in a Bill such as this are never helpful. I do not understand why the figure has been asserted, and if, as the provision says, a public authority has a public duty, I do not understand why mathematics is beginning to come into it. Maybe I need to go back to primary school and then I will know that 250 is the level at which it is impossible to discriminate.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
717 c636 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Access Disability Age Contracts for services Civil partners Equality Licensing EU law Discrimination Landlord and tenant Qualifications Ministerial duties Marriage Powers Recruitment Public sector Public bodies Procurement Parliament Minority groups Matrimonial property Taxis Standards Small businesses Wheelchairs Ofqual
Legislation
Equality Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk