§ 31 Clause 7, page 10, line 13, leave out "consulting" and insert "seeking consultation with".
§ The Commons disagreed to this Amendment for the following Reason:
§ 32 Because it weakens the nature of the obligation on the Corporations to consult relevant trade unions.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 31 to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 32. Amendment No. 31 was passed by your Lordships without discussion after the mover of the Amendment had mistakenly claimed that two identical Amendments previously debated had been passed on a Division. There had not been a previous Division, because the earlier Amendments had not been moved. We on this Front Bench, naturally accepting the word of any noble Lord opposite for anything they say, did not query this remark when we were told about it. I think it is for that reason that the Amendment has got into the Bill. I hope that your Lordships will now agree to the Motion.
§ Moved, That this House doth not insist on the said Amendment, to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 32.—(Lord Melchett.)
§ Lord WIGODERMy Lords, it might be stated that it was one o'clock in the morning when this incident took place. In the circumstances it would not be wise, perhaps, to precipitate a constitutional crisis by insisting on the Amendment.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.