HL Deb 11 March 2003 vol 645 cc176-7WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will amend the Race Relations Act 1976 as it relates to employment on ships in the light of obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by European Union equality legislation; and, if so, what amendments they will make. [HL2010]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Filkin)

As part of a package of proposals for implementing the EC Article 13 Race Directive, set out in the consultation documentEquality and Diversity: The Way Forward, the Government have made proposals in respect of Section 9 of the Race Relations Act 1976. (Section 9 currently provides an exception from the RRA in circumstances where an individual is engaged for employment on a ship outside Great Britain.) The responses to the consultation exercise are currently being analysed and policy is being developed in the light of the responses.

The Government aim to implement the Race Directive by its deadline of 19 July. Regulations will be laid before Parliament in the spring.