Discrimination in public services - lessons must be learned

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th Jan 2007

Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat member of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, today called on the Government to make clear that religious and other organisations must comply with basic non-discrimination standards if they are to be permitted to carry out public functions.

Speaking on the Radio 4 Today programme this morning, Dr Harris warned that these problems will recur unless the Government and parliament was clear and consistent.

"What this unseemly squabble over gay adoption and the churches has shown is that the Government needs to be very clear exactly what the rules of engagement are for those who fulfil a public function, provide public services or carry out welfare work with public money or under public co-ordination.

"There is a simple three rule deal. That is that religious and other organisations must agree not to unfairly discriminate against or harass clients and service users, they must agree not to discriminate against their staff and they must agree not to proselytise in the carrying out of the service.

"Religious individuals and their churches do valuable work in the public services, and no one is demanding that they change their views on sex and religion, but their actions - outside the private sphere and outside their own religious activity - must comply with civil society's norms on non-discrimination

"The sooner the Government make this clear the fairer it will be for everyone and there will be no future risk that important services are undermined by threats to pull out when providers are asked to abide by the law of the land."