Employment Bill [HL]

A number of matters need to be thought about carefully between now and Report; that is what I was coming on to say. But it is important for the Committee to hear the Government’s case, robustly put, as to why we opted for option A, and why that appears in Clause 17. That said, I take absolutely the points that the noble Lord makes. We are aware that there are other ways to change the law in response to this judgment and recognise that there are respectable arguments in support of alternatives. Of course, I hardly need to use ““respectable”” as we have heard them put forward with great persuasiveness at Second Reading and in Committee. We remain open to others’ views on the clause. As we have already been told, there have been meetings in relation to this matter and the Minister for Employment Relations, my honourable friend Mr Pat McFadden, met the noble Lords, Lord Lester and Lord Morris, to discuss these complex issues. My honourable friend is obviously considering the matter, as one would expect with something as serious and important as this. This matter goes way beyond party—it is about getting it right for the future. So we intend—and I hope that the Committee takes note of this—that we continue this dialogue in preparation for Report. But for the mean while, I suggest that the clause does stand part.