§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that Gibraltar meets its obligations under the Directive on a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment (2000/78/EC) in time for the stated implementation deadline of 2 December 2003. [112859]
§ Mr. MacShaneGibraltar Government officials are aware that this Directive must be transposed by 2 December 2003. We understand that they intend to complete this process within the required timescale. We will provide technical assistance if required.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that Gibraltar meets its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, as expressed in the judgment of 9 January 2003 of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of L and Vv. Austria, to equalise the homosexual and heterosexual ages of consent [112860]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe have informed the Gibraltar Government that we believe the age of consent should be equalised for homosexual and heterosexual couples to avoid a breach of Articles 8 and 14 of the ECHR. The Gibraltar Government are now considering how to do so.