§ [Nos. 45–49]
§
Schedule 1, page 45, line 20, at end insert—
Provided that no such appointment shall be for a period exceeding five years in the case of the Chairman and three years in the case of another member.
§
Schedule 2, page 48, line 23, at end insert—
Provided that no such appointment shall be for a period exceeding five years.
§
Schedule 3, page 49, line 25, leave out Schedule 3 and insert—
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE AND INTENT
§ I/We affirm and declare that it is my/our intent to promote and protect equality of opportunity in employment, according to the letter and spirit of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 by every means at my/our disposal, and to co-operate to that end with the Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland.
§ I/We further undertake that I/we will use my/our best endeavours to encourage all persons within the range of my/our influence to commit themselves to the same intent."
255§ Schedule 5, page 52, line 12, leave out "provide" and insert "afford"
§ line 13, leave out "to secure" and insert "for promoting"
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGS-BRIDGEMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 45 to 49. They relate to the Schedules to the Bill. The Amendments to Schedules 1 and 2 to the Bill (numbered 45 and 46) restrict the period for which the chairmen and members of the Fair Employment Agency and Fair Employment Appeals Board may be appointed. Amendment No. 47 has the effect of replacing the original declaration of principle and intent with a new version, shorter and more succinct, and which has wide agreement. Amendments Nos. 48 and 49 are drafting. I beg to move.
Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendments.—(Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge.)
§ Lord MONSONMy Lords, I would say briefly how much I welcome all the Amendments made in another place, in particular Amendment No. 47, which makes the declaration of intent less pompous and more acceptable generally. If I may back-track slightly, Amendment No. 43 also is extremely important. All the Amendments made in another place improve the Bill greatly.
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, we did not have the opportunity previously when the Bill was here to say anything about the chairman of the Agency. I should like to take this opportunity to welcome his appointment, which I am delighted to do, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to do so before this Bill passes into law.
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, I am most grateful for the response noble Lords have given, and particularly for the remarks about the chairman, who seems to me an extremely suitable choice.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.