Schedule 9
Equality Bill
6:45 pm
Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey and Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
I understand the argument. The Solicitor-General could say that women are paid poorly but if their wages were to rise they would have trouble finding part-time work. That argument could be extended to any group. One might believe that there should be equal pay, but because a particular group is vulnerable in a sensitive marketplace, they can be discriminated against and paid less. I understand the argument, but it is not one to which I am overly sympathetic. However, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.