Employment Bill [Lords]

I will not detain the House for long. Many of the old Labour Members who are present will know that I am a trade unionist: I was a proud member of the Fire Brigades Union for many years. When I joined the FBU—which was before it was thrown out of the Labour party—it was a closed shop, although I am pleased to be able to say that the union has moved on from that. I have grave concerns about two aspects of these amendments. New clause 1 has been extensively discussed, but I wish to talk about proposed new section 238AB(4)(b), relating to complaints to employment tribunals. It states:"““and for the avoidance of doubt, compensation may be awarded in respect of injury to feelings whether or not awarded under any other head.””" That measure would allow an unlimited sum of compensation to be awarded for ““injury to feelings””. How will that be assessed? My feelings are very upset that old Labour Members are not screaming and shouting at me, as a former trade union member, for standing up to speak against new clause 1. Am I to be compensated for that? Should I approach a trade union and say, ““Come and represent me, and see if my feelings have been hurt””? This is a ludicrous situation.