In the year 2002, women in mixed clubs should have the exactly the same rights as men

Barbara Roche

It would enforce an equal level of membership rights in mixed clubs.

If it becomes law the only alternative would be for the clubs in question to revert to men-only membership.

Labour peer Lord Faulkner of Worcester's bill removes the exemption in the Sex Discrimination Act for private members' clubs but would not hit organisations like the Women's Institute or the scouts.

It applies equally to discrimination against men and would cover clubs with 25 or more members.

Barbara Roche, the Cabinet Office and women's minister, told the Guardian newspaper that the change was long overdue.

"In the year 2002, women in mixed clubs should have the exactly the same rights as men."

Second class?

She added: "It's absolutely absurd that golf clubs should restrict playing times and access to the front door for women members."

The former Tory leader was granted membership of the Carlton Club

The bill had its second reading debate in the House of Lords on Wednesday evening.

Ahead of the debate, Lord Faulkner said clubs with mixed membership but which still excluded women from full membership "send a signal that discrimination against women is acceptable".

"The second class membership which women are offered often prevents them from being able to take part in the running of the clubs and taking the decisions that affect all members.

"They are therefore not able to effect change from within the clubs."

"Horror stories" included one golf club which had a white line painted along the middle of its bar marking where women could and could not stand, Lord Faulkner told BBC News Online.

Continuing demand

The problem was widespread, he said, with more than 1,600 working men's clubs giving women only "second class" membership.

The peer has decided not to push for single sex clubs to be outlawed completely, saying that task was "beyond a human being at the moment".

"There is a demand for single sex clubs to continue," Lord Faulkner added, but guests should be treated in the same way whatever their gender.

As well as restrictions inside club buildings, the bill targets golf clubs which only let female associate members play during the day - on the assumption they will not be working.