Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011

Debate between Lord Campbell of Alloway and Lord Shutt of Greetland

Tuesday 6th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My noble friend was suggesting that the noble Lord may well have concluded.

[Lord Campbell of Alloway]

I have, save for one point. This question of freedom of religion was raised as an amendment to the Human Rights Act, and it was supported by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London, another noble Lord and Lord Jakobovits. Within a very short time it was opposed by the noble Lord, Lord Lester, and the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor, and withdrawn because of a message from Lambeth House indicating that it thought it could make some appropriate arrangement. Well, it was never done, and that remains at the base of this problem. Of course, if the amendment had been accepted, we would not be in this position and could have taken steps then.