§ 25 Page 9, line 16, at end insert "and any other person who, or organisation which, appears to it to be representative of a substantial proportion of its employees or of those of any of its wholly owned subsidiaries."
§ The Commons disagreed to this amendment for the following Reason:
§ 26 Because it is unnecessary to impose a statutory obligation to consult professional organizations.
§ 5.48 p.m.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 25 to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 26. This again covers the same ground that we have been over in previous debates and therefore I do not intend to delay your Lordships by saying very much. As I explained in relation to Amendment No. 12, we believe that to extend formal consultation rights to organisations which fail to meet the criteria for "relevant trade union" is not in the best interests of all employees in the industries and could give rise to harmful practical difficulties. I hope that for these reasons the Rouse will not insist on the Amendment.
§ Moved, That the House doth not insist on the said Amendment, to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 26.—(Lord Melchett.)
1185§ Lord CARR of HADLEYMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord whether he would explain the Commons Reason. The Reason states:
Because it is unnecessary to impose a statutory obligation to consult professional organisations.This Amendment does not even mention professional organisations. I fail totally to understand how the answer is in any way relevant to the Amendment.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I have a feeling that the previous Amendment is not the only thing that has been muddled up in the speed with which the Bill has been returned to your noble Lordships' House. I think there are five Amendments altogether which refer to industrial democracy in one way or another: Amendments Nos. 23 and 33, are one section, as it were, and Amendments Nos. 25, 29 and 35. I think that the Reasons for one lot have been transposed with the Reasons for another lot. As we have had a general debate on this issue, I hope the noble Lord will leave it at that. If he would like me to, I could give him the numbers as I think probably they should be.
§ Lord CARR of HADLEYMy Lords, perhaps I could refer to it again in a later Amendment.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.