Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government are intending to amend section 51 of the Sex Discrimination Act.
§ Mr. CopeThe Government will be bringing forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits to amend section 51. It is intended to ensure that discriminatory acts which are required by legislation pre-dating the Sex Discrimination Act will not be lawful except where such actions are compatible with the European Community equal treatment directive.
The Government are also proposing at the same time to remove from other legislation discriminatory provisions in the employment field which are no longer thought to be justifiable under the directive. This will be achieved either by extension to the other sex or by repeal.
A consultation document on the detail of these changes will be issued shortly. It will, in addition, include proposals in relation to legislation which restricts the hours arid other conditions of work of young people, some of which also treats male and female young people differently.