Suggested reforms would bring to an end practices which restrict the times their female members have access to club facilities, play during the day and even those which currently bar them from running the club.

Perhaps the biggest news is that the directive only applies to mixed clubs (so it won't affect the Royal and Ancient, for example, which is still a male only club). The government is not opposed to private members clubs of one sex or another. They only stipulate that a mixed club should treat everyone equally. Further info from a parliamentary debate.

The proposed Bill will see the implementation of a European Directive (pdf document) on the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and the supply of goods and services. The Sex Discrimination Act will also be amended to include it. The deadline for implementation is 21 December 2007.