Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011

Debate between Lord Lester of Herne Hill and Earl Ferrers

Tuesday 6th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lester of Herne Hill]

My Lords, the word “protected” simply means those protected against discrimination in those categories. However, it seems to me that the noble Baroness was giving a very narrow interpretation, which may be why she agrees with the noble Lord, Lord Low. May I try to say what I think the regulations mean? Regulation 3 says that each public authority,

“must prepare and publish one or more objectives it thinks it should achieve to do any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c)”,

but that does not mean, in my judgment—no doubt the Minister will want to respond to this—that if they publish only one objective, that is sufficient.

[Earl Ferrers]

With the greatest respect, the noble Lord is doing more than making an intervention; he is making another speech.

[Lord Lester of Herne Hill]

I do not think I know the difference, since I am asking a question. The question that I am asking, if I may be permitted to do so, is whether the Minister—