11.—(1) In section 16B of the 1995 Act (discriminatory advertisements), for subsection (1) substitute—
“(1) It is unlawful for a person to publish or cause to be published an advertisement which—
(a)invites applications for a relevant appointment or benefit; and
(b)indicates, or might reasonably be understood to indicate, that an application will or may be determined to any extent by reference to—
(i)the applicant not having any disability, or any particular disability,
(ii)the applicant not having had any disability, or any particular disability, or
(iii)any reluctance of the person determining the application to comply with a duty to make reasonable adjustments or (in relation to employment services) with the duty imposed by section 21(1) as modified by section 21A(6).”.
(2) After subsection (2) of that section insert—
“(2A) A person who publishes an advertisement of the kind described in subsection (1) shall not be subject to any liability under subsection (1) in respect of the publication of the advertisement if he proves—
(a)that the advertisement was published in reliance on a statement made to him by the person who caused it to be published to the effect that, by reason of the operation of subsection (2), the publication would not be unlawful; and
(b)that it was reasonable for him to rely on the statement.
(2B) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is mentioned in subsection (2A)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading commits an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.”.
(3) In subsection (3) of that section (definition of “relevant appointment or benefit”), for “subsection (1)” substitute “ this section ”.