HC Deb 25 May 1989 vol 153 c1171
Mr. Viggers

I beg to move amendment No. 1, in page 1, line 16, leave out from `Commission)' to end of line 19 and insert `after paragraph (a) there is inserted— (aa) promoting affirmative action:".'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harold Walker)

With this, it will be convenient to consider Government amendments Nos. 64, 65 and 72.

Mr. Viggers

The purpose of Government amendment No. 1 is to give the commission a clear and specific duty to promote affirmative action as well as promoting equality of opportunity and working for the elimination of discrimination. It in no sense changes the remit originally given to the Fair Employment Commission. It merely imposes a clear and specific duty on it to promote affirmative action. For that reason, I hope that Opposition Members and other hon. Members will believe that the amendment is worthwhile.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Viggers

I beg to move amendment No. 2, in page 1, line 19, at end insert— '(3) References in the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts to the Commission include, in relation to any time before the commencement of subsection (1) above, references to the Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland.'. We are moving through many amendments. I am happy to clarify any of the Government amendments, but unless I am challenged, I propose to deal with them briefly.

Government amendment No. 2 makes it clear that any reference to the commission in the Act between Royal Assent and the creation of the commission under clause 1(1) should be construed as a reference to the Fair Employment Agency. It is a simple matter.

Amendment agreed to.

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