Baroness Grey-Thompson (CB)

My Lords, I originally requested that later amendments that I have on disability language, as defined under the Equality Act, be moved into this group, but they were not. I think it is important that we have a chance to debate them as well. Language is the dress of thought, and “person with a disability” is not language that is used in the Equality Act. However, if the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, seemed to misunderstand these amendments, I think I have misunderstood them as well. I am particularly concerned about Amendments 290, 366 and 931 around domestic abuse and coercive control, which I have spoken about in other debates. I believe that these amendments go beyond mere drafting changes. The wording as it now exists waters down what the training around domestic abuse is likely to be. For example, it could be a course on physical or sexual abuse, but that does not necessarily mean that it is as comprehensive as I believe it needs to be. I am conscious of time, but I would be interested to know whether the noble and learned Lord or the sponsor in another place, the honourable Member for Spen Valley, has spoken to the honourable Member for Lowestoft, Jess Asato, about the impact of these amendments on her work. It important that we understand the context of what we thought was coming from the Commons and what these changes might mean to the Bill.