§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 12 January (WA 70–72), whether the 16 Catholic sixth-form colleges may lawfully employ only Catholic principals, teachers and other staff, in order to maintain their Catholic ethos. [HL927]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandIf the 16 Catholic sixth-form colleges wish to give preference to Catholics as regards the employment of staff, they will need to demonstrate that this is a genuine occupational requirement for the particular position under Regulation 7 (Exception for genuine occupational requirement) of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1660) in the same way as other employers. The proposed amendment in respect of the admission of students to the colleges does not impact on matters connected with the employment of staff.