Equality and Human Rights Commission: Code of Practice Debate
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Baroness Thornton
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Equality and Human Rights Commission: Code of Practice
Baroness Thornton Excerpts(1 day, 14 hours ago)
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Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
My Lords, the Secretary of State for Education and the current Minister for Women has a proud and lifelong record of representing women. She also understands that in order to be able to do that, we need a code of practice that is both clear and legally defensible. I would have thought that anybody with women’s best interests at heart would agree with that.
Baroness Thornton (Lab)
My Lords, proportionality, as I am sure the whole House recognises, is central to the Equality Act. But, of course, it will be difficult to apply. Can my noble friend the Minister assure the House that the Government promote a consistent and lawful understanding of proportionality across policy areas, particularly where rights appear to be in tension, while ensuring that decisions remain fair, evidence-based and respectful?