Equality Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 83:"Page 4, line 18, leave out paragraph (a)." The noble Lord said: I can move the amendment briefly and simply, not because I am in any way unaware of the importance of human rights but because I think that they are so obvious. I wish to leave out paragraph (a) of Clause 9. The clause states:"““The Commission shall, by exercising the powers conferred by this Part—""(a) promote understanding of the importance of human rights””." I simply cannot believe that anyone appointed chairman of the commission would need to be told that. Any reasonably enlightened person would not need that kind of instruction. Yet the clause and, in my view, the Bill is full of such rather empty, vapid instructions. A little later on in the same clause, subsection (3) states:"““In determining what action to take in pursuance of this section the Commission shall have particular regard to the importance of exercising the powers conferred by this Part in relation to the Convention rights””." I should be grateful if the noble Baroness would give me a brief explanation not only of what it means but of why it is necessary. What does it add to the Bill? This is not the first time that I have complained in the House about the unnecessary volume and size of Bills, and I do so again without apology. Of course, I would not dream of going on at any great length; I am fearful of having yet another paean of praise thrown at my head by the noble Lord, Lord Lester. I beg to move.