§ Dr. Dickson MabonI beg to move, Amendment No. 27, in page 13, line 21, after 'employment' to insert 'or loss'.
This matter was drawn to the attention of the Government in Committee by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Springburn (Mr. Buchanan) and I said on that occasion that there was no intention that the 1960 Act compensation provisions should in any way be reduced by the Bill. I promised to look into the matter, and that I have done. I thank my hon. Friend for bringing the point to our attention.
It is our clear view that the 1960 Act compensation provisions must be as they are and not in any way reduced. To put the point beyond doubt, the Amendment brings the Clause into line, as my hon. Friend suggested, with the principal Act. It is our hope that the transfer of functions will not result in redundancies or loss of earnings on a wide scale, or even on a marginal scale. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out and it is, therefore, perfectly proper that we should make sure that the compensation provisions are adequate and are not reduced in any way. Once again, I thank my hon. Friend for making his suggestion and trust that the Amendment will meet with the approval of the House.
§ Amendment agreed to.