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Equality Bill

My Lords, we are grateful to the Government for tabling Amendments 135, 136, 136ZAC and 136ZCC, which are designed to ensure that the provisions contained in the Bill do not escape parliamentary scrutiny because of drafting omissions. The number of drafting omissions that we are addressing today further reinforces our belief in the absolute fundamental necessity of the effective parliamentary scrutiny the Bill has received in your Lordships' House, notwithstanding our time today being squeezed—although we had a little extra time while the Government found the noble Lord, Lord Myners. Therefore, I am glad to see the inclusion of these amendments in the Bill. We are also delighted to see that the Government have tabled Amendments 136ZZZA and 136ZZZB, which address the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee’s concerns raised by our Amendment 136ZZA regarding the exercise of subordinate legislation powers. We are pleased that, after consideration, the Government have decided to accept the recommendation. Amendment 135 agreed. Clause 199, as amended, agreed. Clause 200 : Ministers of the Crown Amendments 135ZA and 135A Moved by