§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review exemptions for certain employees from the provisions of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. [131862]
§ Mr. SpellarThe exceptions in the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 for employment for the purposes of a private household and for charities as employers will be removed and the exception for the employment of schoolteachers will be restricted to teacher recruitment with effect from 2 December 2003 in order to comply with the EU Employment Framework Directive.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is currently undertaking an investigation with a view to putting forward recommendations on action necessary to further equality of opportunity in the employment of teachers in schools. These recommendations will be considered in the context of the single Equality Bill.
On 22 September, the Government announced a review of the effectiveness of the temporary provisions of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 which provide for 50:50 recruitment and lateral entry to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. These temporary provisions, which are due to expire in March 2004 unless they are renewed, include an exception to the Fair Employment and Treatment Order. Government will 526W carry out a wide-ranging consultation on this issue which is due to come to a close on 19 December this year.