Employment Bill [HL]

Before withdrawing, as is inevitable in these circumstances, I want to say a word of gratitude to the Grand Committee for the manner in which it has dealt with the problems today. The fundamental problem has been dealt with. We cannot just ignore ASLEF. It is binding and we are under an obligation to see that our domestic law is compatible. That is the fundamental reason for my analysis. It is a matter of relatively minor importance whether my noble friend Lord Henley or my party, when they have heard the merits of my Amendment No. 26A, written in plain English, want to support it or whether the House on Report wishes to support it. It has not considered it yet, and I shall be moving it. But I would not dream of taking your Lordships’ time by speaking to it now. Nor, indeed, can I do other than ask my noble friend if, at some time, he could let me know why he prefers his course, which apparently is to keep Clause 17 and oppose Amendment No. 26A or whether he prefers Amendment No. 27. I am still uncertain about what he is doing because I do not understand his reasoning. But this is a matter of minor consequence which can be sorted out, I hope, before Report stage. I thank my noble friend Lady Perry of Southwark, who made a very helpful and knowledgeable speech, which was derived from experience. I hope that Members of the Committee will forgive me if I do not entertain any form of argumentative dissertation with the noble Lord, Lord Lester. We can go into that on Report. Clause 17 agreed to.