Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling

Rob Marris Excerpts
Wednesday 15th March 2017

(7 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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Let me be clear: this is existing EHRC guidance, but we will work with the commission to make sure that in the light of the most recent judgment it is updated and entirely fit for purpose. I am confident that the EHRC has sufficient funds to do its job efficiently. The hon. Lady might be interested to know that even after some recent changes in its workforce, the commission still has four times more staff than we have in the Government Equalities Office.

Rob Marris Portrait Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab)
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I am the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for British Sikhs. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for again this year hosting the Vaisakhi celebration, on 18 April in Speaker’s Rooms. I welcome the Minister’s statement today, but will Her Majesty’s Government make representations to the Governments of France and Belgium, which overtly have state-sponsored discrimination against Sikhs, including British Sikhs who move to France or Belgium?

Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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That is a matter for my colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but we will have that conversation with them. We take discrimination seriously and will continue to ensure that no one is held back by any outdated attitude or practice.