Employment Bill [HL]

In order to not have to do it every time I get up, I declare a previous interest as president of one of the unions that have formed Unite—the ASTMS—and then the MSF. I, too, should like to thank my noble friend Lord Bach for providing the information. Like others, I got it this morning and I shall go through it in more detail when we are proceeding. I am very pleased to see the Minister with us, taking time off from his admirable job. Nearly every time I pick up a newspaper, I read where he is selling things for us. In this amendment, we are trying to ensure that there is no degrading of the role of ACAS and that what it does is central. Members say that they are looking at what we are doing, not that they are opposed to it. So I hope that what has been put forward will be pretty unanimous. We are not trying to change anything, but want to ensure that ACAS still has a central role to play in any negotiation that takes place. It is in the interests of all of us, whichever side we are looking from, to get a better Bill and a better understanding. The role of ACAS is not in any way diminished. I am very pleased to say that I am here to support the amendment standing in my name, along with my colleagues.