§ [Nos 41–44]
§ Clause 54, page 36, line 3, leave out "provide "and insert "afford "
§ Clause 57, page 42, line 3, after "absence "insert "or supposed absence "
§
line 4, at end insert—
( ) In this Act any reference to a person's political opinion does not include an opinion which consists of or includes approval or acceptance of the use of violence for political ends connected with Northern Irish affairs (including the use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear).
§ line 5, leave out "provide" and insert "afford".
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 41 to 44 en bloc. These are in Part VI of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 41 and 44 are drafting Amendments to bring conformity in the 254 use of the word "afford" in the Bill. Amendment No. 42 makes it clear that the definition of religious belief and political opinion include references to a person's supposed religious belief and political opinion and the absence, or supposed absence, of any, or any particular, religious belief or political opinion. Amendment No. 43 introduces a new subsection to the Bill to make it clear that the Bill will not give protection against discrimination to a person whose political opinion consists of, or includes, approval or acceptance of the use of violence for political ends, connected with Northern Ireland affairs.
Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendments—(Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge.)
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, I would particularly like to welcome Amendment No. 43. In this House noble Lords have expressed reservations, and indeed my noble friend Lord Brookeborough expressed strong reservations that the Bill as drafted could compel employers to take on people who they suspected of involvement in terrorism, or believed would be subject to pressure to become involved in terrorism. It seems to me that Amendment No. 43 goes a long way towards meeting what was a fundamental drawback to the Bill. I am most grateful to the Government for putting it in.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.