HL Deb 12 December 1996 vol 576 c97WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will support the proposal made by the Irish Government to amend the Treaty of European Union so as to include a prohibition against discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age sexual orientation, religion or social origin; and, if not, why not.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

As was made clear in the Partnership of Nations White Paper earlier this year, we do not support the inclusion of a general anti-discrimination clause in the Treaty on European Union. The Government believe that issues of discrimination are best dealt with at national, not European level.