Clause 45 - Goods, facilities and services
Equality Bill [Lords]
11:30 am
Evan Harris (Science, Non-Departmental & Cross Departmental Responsibilities; Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
This is a little complicated. I think that my question was on a different point from that being made by the hon. Gentleman. I shall not interfere with any exchange that the Minister may have planned to have on the matter, but I want to ask about the impact of the clause, and this is the time to do it. Would it become incumbent on a school canteen to provide particular types of food to children, or would a high street butcher have to provide certain types of meat to such a community? If it was straightforward for them to do so—if they could get it from another wholesaler and price it accordingly—would the clause make it incumbent on them to do so, or would they run a risk of being accused of committing a tort of discrimination under the clause if they chose not to do so? Skill is a separate issue. I am sure that my question was dealt with in another place, but it would be useful to the Committee for it to be clarified.
I know of a number of people who are concerned about how far they will have to go. I know that the question relates to previous provisions, but I would be grateful if the Minister clarified the point.