SCOTTISH GYPSY TRAVELLERS

That this House expresses deep concern over the continued discrimination and persecution suffered by Scottish Gypsy Travellers; notes the common heritage, culture, language and traditions of the Scottish Gypsy Traveller community; believes that discrimination against this community has no place in the United Kingdom in 2010; expresses further concern that the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee, the European Parliament Committee of Ministers and the UK Commission for Racial Equality have all identified a lack of legal protection for Scottish Gypsy Travellers; further notes with concern the fact that Scottish Gypsy Travellers are not one of the ethnic groups given protection under the provisions included in the Equality Bill; and calls on the Government to bring forward amendments to the Equality Bill to give Scottish Gypsy Travellers the same rights and protection as Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and other ethnic groups.