HL Deb 01 July 2003 vol 650 cc95-6WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 17 June (WA 93), which individuals and organisations made representations seeking amendments to the draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 to ensure religious organisations could continue to comply with doctrinal beliefs or strongly held religious beliefs of their followers. [HL3572]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Representations seeking amendments to the draft regulations to ensure religious organisations could continue to comply with doctrinal requirements or strongly held religious beliefs of their followers were received from a range of organisations and individuals. These included representations from the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the Muslim Council of Great Britain and the Baha'i Community of the UK. Many other representations supported this view. I will write to the noble Lord with further details.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 17 June (WA 93), whether they intend to give guidance about the meaning of Regulation 7(3) of the Employment (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003; and, if so, how they will ensure that such guidance is taken into account by courts and tribunals in interpreting and applying Regulation 7(3). [HL3573]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government provided explanatory notes on the regulations when they were laid before Parliament in May. Copies were placed in the Library of the House and are on the DTI website. Further information, including a brief guide to the key features of the regulations and a more detailed explanation of the law, will be added to the website. ACAS is producing practical workplace guidance designed to meet the needs of employers and individuals which will be available in the autumn.

It will be for tribunals or, as appropriate, the courts to reach their own judgments on the application of the law.