§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether work being undertaken by them in Northern Ireland in preparing a single equality Bill is to be matched by similar work in Great Britain. [HL1597]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalNo. Equality legislation is devolved to Northern Ireland and the decision to move towards a single equality Bill was made by Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive in light of the particular history and circumstances there.
14WAWith the current suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Northern Ireland Ministers agree that the work should progress so that on their return local Ministers will have fuller information upon which to base their future decisions on the issue.
In Great Britain the circumstances are different. Work is under way to take forward the Government's full agenda of action on equality matters, including targeted legislation.