Clause 6
Equality Bill
10:45 am
Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I share the hon. Gentleman’s concern. I have tabled several amendments to clause 13, which we will come on to later, so I will not speak long on this group. I am asking, in respect of all protected characteristics, whether the definition of direct discrimination in the explanatory notes in paragraph 71 on page E9—
“broad enough to cover cases where the less favourable treatment is because...the victim is wrongly thought to have it”—
already covers perception. That is not explicit in clause 13, but it is clearly important that the provision not only covers disability and other strands, but is seen to do so. Simply working on the basis of case law or intention behind legislation without making things clear, when we can, represents a missed opportunity.
I know that the Government are keen to ensure that such legislation is accessible to individuals and organisations. Even if the amendment’s wording is not exactly right, it would serve that purpose well if, as I suspect, the Government’s view is that the statute should cover perceptions of disability and, I hope, other strands.