New clause 9 - Public authorities and human rights
Equality Bill [Lords]
1:30 pm
Eleanor Laing (Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Scotland; Epping Forest, Conservative)
I want to ensure that we have understood what is intended by new clause 9 and what would be its effect. I do not disagree with the hon. Lady's intention to try to establish or make clear the rights of people in care homes. In many cases, they are people who cannot speak up for themselves, and it is important that their rights be protected. Sadly, in many cases there has been a need for such protection because of bad behaviour by proprietors, negligence or other problems. I do not disagree with that aspect of the Liberal Democrats' intentions, but I am concerned that widening the definition of public authorities would bring in care homes. Such organisations, as public authorities, would then have a duty put upon them in respect of religious discrimination. Many care homes are owned and administered by religious bodies, and I believe that they are entitled to discriminate because that is the very nature of their existence. I would not wish to see their right to choose who should be in their care compromised if their charity is administered by a particular church. There are, for example, many Jewish care homes in my constituency. While they might minister to people of other religions as well, I protect their right to discriminate with regard to the people whom their organisation exists to benefit. They should be entitled to do that.