§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the reasons for amending the draft published on 22 October 2002 of Regulation 7 of the draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. [HL3191]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)During consultation on the draft regulations published in October 2002 a number of representations were received. These made it clear that the draft exception for genuine occupational requirement provided in these regulations could cause practical difficulties in relation to employment for purposes of organised religion. It was decided to provide an additional and narrow exception to permit a requirement related to sexual orientation only where the employment is for purposes of organised religion, and where the requirement is necessary to comply with the doctrines of the religion or with the strongly held convictions of a significant number of the religious followers. If the latter applies, the context and nature of the employment should also be taken into account.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which of the organisations that made the representations to them about the draft published for consultation on 22 October 2002 supported the amendment of Regulation 7 of the draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 so as to include the provision now set out in Regulation 7(3). [HL3194]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleA number of representations sought amendments to the draft regulations to ensure religious organisations could continue to comply with doctrinal requirements or strongly held religious beliefs of their followers. Many of these representations, both those received following the consultation in October 2002, and those received since the amended regulations were laid before Parliament, said that although they support Regulation 7, they believe it should apply to a wider range of faith-based organisations.