§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission on amending the Sex Discrmination Act to place a duty on local authorities(a) to eliminate unlawful discrimination between the sexes and (b) to promote equality of opportunity between the sexes.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1986 the Equal Opportunities Commission published a consultative document "Legislating for Change?" which proposed that a duty be imposed on all bodies carrying out a service or undertaking of a public nature to work towards the elimination of discrimination on grounds of sex or marriage and to promote equality of opportunity between men and women generally. The commission's full proposals for amending the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 are expected shortly.