HL Deb 16 January 1997 vol 577 c33WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer given by Baroness Chalker on 12th December 1996 (WA 97) how the prohibition against discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or social origin only at national, and not at European, level will secure the equal protection of the citizens of the European Union against unfair discrimination by the institutions of the European Union and their officers.

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

The Government believe that issues of discrimination are best dealt with at national level. Article F.2 of the Treaty on European Union, however, requires the European Union to "respect fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms". This was reinforced by Opinion 2/94 of the European Court of Justice, which states that respect for human rights is a condition of the lawfulness of Community acts.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer given by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey on 12th December 1996 (WA 97), whether they consider that the prohibition against discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or social origin, is effectively guaranteed at national level by the laws and practices of member states of the European Union, and, if so, what is the basis for their belief.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The Government believe that issues of discrimination are best dealt with at national level. All member states, however, are party to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. We do not feel that further European Union protection against unfair discrimination is necessary.