This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6468423.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Debate denied' on gay rights law Bid to find gay adoption accord
(20 minutes later)
Ministers have been accused of trying to close down debate on new laws which will force Catholic adoption agencies to handle requests from gay couples. A new attempt is being made to allow Catholic adoption agencies to keep working under new equality laws, the BBC has learned.
The Equality Act aims to outlaw discrimination, but Catholic agencies say they will close down rather than act against their principles. The agencies have said they will close rather than act against their faith and handle requests from gay couples.
MPs have been asked to approve draft rules without debate on Monday. A cross-party working group has been set up to try to find a compromise to keep the agencies working.
But Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said it was an "abuse of parliamentary democracy" to rush through the laws. Ministers hope the move will stave off defeat when Equality Act regulations go before the Lords on Wednesday.
The government had refused to allow Catholic agencies to opt out of the regulations, saying there can be no opt-out from discrimination laws.
It is hoped that the cross-party group, which will liaise with the Catholic Church to seek a compromise will also appease Labour and Tory backbenchers who oppose efforts to force the Catholic church to comply.
Earlier, ministers were accused of trying to close down debate on the Equality Act, which aims to outlaw discrimination, by asking MPs to approve draft rules without debate.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said it was an "abuse of parliamentary democracy" to rush through the laws.
The draft regulations do not have to be debated by MPs, because they form part of the Equality Act - two thirds of which has already been approved.The draft regulations do not have to be debated by MPs, because they form part of the Equality Act - two thirds of which has already been approved.
'Profound concern''Profound concern'
The House of Lords will debate them on Wednesday, but MPs' discussion in the Commons was limited to a 90-minute committee hearing last week.The House of Lords will debate them on Wednesday, but MPs' discussion in the Commons was limited to a 90-minute committee hearing last week.
MPs are being asked to approve the draft regulations on Monday and it is unclear whether they will eventually be voted upon, or just nodded through.
Profound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'ConnorProfound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's comments came in a statement issued on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's comments came in a statement issued on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
He said: "It is, surely, an abuse of parliamentary democracy that these regulations are being considered by Parliament only through a hurriedly arranged and very brief meeting of 16 appointed MPs, and a short debate in the House of Lords.He said: "It is, surely, an abuse of parliamentary democracy that these regulations are being considered by Parliament only through a hurriedly arranged and very brief meeting of 16 appointed MPs, and a short debate in the House of Lords.
"During the House of Commons committee meeting, opportunity for serious debate was denied."During the House of Commons committee meeting, opportunity for serious debate was denied.
"Profound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard.""Profound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard."
Catholic agencies currently refer gay couples to other adoption agencies. They handle 4%, or about 200, of all adoptions a year, but this includes about a third of those children judged most difficult to place.Catholic agencies currently refer gay couples to other adoption agencies. They handle 4%, or about 200, of all adoptions a year, but this includes about a third of those children judged most difficult to place.
'No discrimination''No discrimination'
But in January Downing Street said there would be no exemptions from the law, although it offered a 21-month transition period to faith-based agencies, to adjust to the change.But in January Downing Street said there would be no exemptions from the law, although it offered a 21-month transition period to faith-based agencies, to adjust to the change.
Tony Blair said he believed it was a "way through" to prevent discrimination and protect the interests of children, which all "reasonable people" should be able to accept.Tony Blair said he believed it was a "way through" to prevent discrimination and protect the interests of children, which all "reasonable people" should be able to accept.
"There is no place in our society for discrimination. That's why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple," he said."There is no place in our society for discrimination. That's why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple," he said.
"And that way there can be no exemptions for faith-based adoption agencies offering public funded services from regulations that prevent discrimination."
The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.