Equality Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 1:15 pm ar 25 Mehefin 2009.
Mark Harper
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
I want to raise an issue about the Clause, Lady Winterton, so I hope you will let me do so now. Then, I suspect, we will not need to debate clause stand part. The clause sets it out that, under current legislation, in most cases the burden of proof is reversed once the claimant has established a case to an initial level. However, the explanatory notes say that
“the burden of proof is currently not reversed in race discrimination claims brought on grounds of colour and nationality; claims of victimisation which relate to race discrimination; non-work disability discrimination claims; and sex discrimination claims which relate to the exercise of public functions. In these areas the burden of proof will now be reversed once the claimant establishes his or her case to an initial level.”
I suspect the Minister’s answer will be brief, but why is it that under the current law the burden of proof was not reversed in those cases, and why have the Government decided to change that? It may be self-evidently right to reverse it, and perhaps there were some very good reasons why that did not happen in the past. I am curious and it would help the Committee to know about the principles.
Vera Baird
Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office
As far as I know, it is just a historical accident that two bits of race legislation, which were added later, followed the relevant way forward and earlier bits did not. I think that is correct. If there is more to say, I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and he can read it.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
