text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Equality and Diversity (Reform) Bill - Second Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  MPs were considering the Equality and Diversity (Reform) Bill. The motion rejected in this vote was:
  
  :That the Bill be now read a Second time.
  
  The rejection of the motion meant the Bill made no further progress towards becoming law. 
  
  The Bill sought to:
  
  * Prohibit public authorities promoting or engaging in positive action; defined action intended to give a benefit or encouragement to a particular group based on the age, sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, disability, religion, socio-economic status of members of that group of people.
  * Repeal the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/2/contents Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002] which excludes political parties selecting candidates from the provisions of the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/65 Sex Discrimination Act 1975] and [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1976/1042/contents Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976] allowing discrimination on the basis of sex "for the purpose of reducing inequality in the numbers of men and women elected, as candidates of the party, to be members of the body concerned". 
  
  
  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-12/equalityanddiversityreform.html Parliament's webpage on the Equality and Diversity (Reform) Bill]
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  