Govt: Debate a welcome opportunity

Tuesday, 09, Jan 2007 12:00

The government has welcomed tonight's debate on the sexual orientation regulations.

The House of Lords will debate the laws which would prevent businesses from refusing to provide services to gay and lesbian couples.

The regulations are already in force in Northern Ireland after they were introduced under direct rule powers and will apply to England and Wales from April.

A spokesman from the Northern Ireland Office said: "The government welcomes the opportunity to discuss these important regulations in the House of Lords and looks forward to the outcome."

Ruth Kelly, the communities and equality secretary, has defended the legislation and last year wrote: "We must take on discrimination and inequality in all its forms: on the grounds of race, faith, gender and sexual orientation."

However, gay rights groups have expressed concern that Ms Kelly's Catholic beliefs could mean she is not fully supportive of the bill.