Employment Bill [HL]

I would like to ask a couple of questions. I thought that the remark by the noble Lord, Lord Hoyle, that he did not want to see ACAS degraded was very interesting because there was no suggestion of that—the noble Baroness, Lady Turner, clearly spoke about making ACAS stronger. Therefore, I would like clarification on that point: what do the Government think that this amendment would do? The noble Lord, Lord Wedderburn, said that many cases are now settled, which is quite true. The new pilot scheme that has been in action, where the employment judge has been mediating in cases, has been very effective. Indeed, those who have acted in that role have been impressed by the success of the scheme. Would this amendment in any way cut across that, because this is a good system that is working at the moment?