HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 cc434-5W
Mr. Leigh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if the proposed Council Directive Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation, as currently drafted, would require a parish church not to refuse to employ an atheist in the post of verger; [131166]

(2) what the effect will be of the proposed Council Directive Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation, as currently drafted, on the employment policy of the Board of Social Responsibility of the Church of Scotland which requires that all its staff should be committed Christians; [131167]

(3) if the proposed Council Directive Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation, as currently drafted, will require the repeal of section 60 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. [131168]

Ms Jowell

The proposed Council Directive Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation is currently in negotiation. Until a text has been finally agreed it is not possible to assess the precise effect it will have on existing legislation such as that mentioned in the question. However, the Government are negotiating on the basis that the text finally agreed should be clear and workable in practice and should preserve, where appropriate, existing arrangements which allow religious bodies to protect their ethos. We are seeking to negotiate an agreement which will protect the existing rights of church schools under section 60 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will seek to amend the proposed EU directive on equal treatment in employment so as to reflect the concerns of religious groups in the UK. [131579]

Ms Jowell

The proposed Council Directive Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation is currently in negotiation. The Government are negotiating on the basis that the text finally agreed should be clear and workable in practice and should preserve, where appropriate, existing arrangements which allow religious bodies to protect their ethos. We have been consulting a range of religious groups on the implications of the proposals throughout the negotiations.