Clause 1
Equality Bill
9:15 am
Vera Baird (Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office; Redcar, Labour)
In fact, almost everybody who was asked about the provision—they were repeatedly probed by members of the hon. Gentleman’s party—was immensely supportive. The hon. Gentleman makes the point that it is not the solution; of course it is not, because the problem is entrenched and difficult. However, what is the harm of it? It will help. EDF has 50 members, each with a large membership, and they all think that this will help. ROTA, which also gave evidence in favour of the proposal, has 1,500 member organisations, each with many hundreds of members, and therefore with many discrimination strands, and they think that it will help. What does the hon. Gentleman say is wrong with the proposal?