HL Deb 28 June 1977 vol 384 cc1041-2

4.26 p.m.

Report received.

Clause 2 [Power to vary rebates in Northern Ireland]:

Baroness ELLES moved the following Amendment:

Page 3, line 8, at end insert— ("( )No order shall be made under subsection (1) above unless the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland thinks it expedient to do so with a view to adjusting the level at which the Northern Ireland Redundancy Fund stands for the time being and having regard to the sums which may be expected to be paid from that Fund in any future period").

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, as noble Lords will be aware, the Redundancy Rebates Bill is an enabling Bill. Under subsection (4) of Clause 1, the Secretary of State, while having powers to vary the rebates under the Bill, has to take into account certain considerations as to the size of the Fund and the possibility of future redundancies. The purpose of the Amendment is merely to give to the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland the opportunity, under Clause 2, to take into account the same kind of considerations as those which have to be taken into account by the Secretary of State when making an order under the Bill. I beg to move.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, I commend the noble Baroness for having moved this Amendment. As she has so rightly made very clear, it is consequential upon the Amendment to Clause 1 which was successfully moved in Committee of this House on 21st June. Since its sole purpose is to maintain parity between legislation governing redundancy payments in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I do not propose to seek a Division. Having said this, I am bound to make it clear that the Government remain opposed to the principle underlying these Amendments, which are directly contrary to statements made about the intended first use of the enabling power to effect a reduction in rebate. It is therefore without prejudice to any future consideration of these Amendments, which may be necessary either here or in another place, that I am fully prepared on this occasion not to seek a Division.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.