§ 8.20 p.m.
§ Read a third time.
§ Lord Campbell of AllowayMy Lords, before moving that the Bill do now pass to succumb to its destiny of infant mortality in another place, I wish to say a brief word of thanks to noble Lords on all sides of the House for their support and attendance on so many occasions and at great personal inconvenience. They did so to seek to meet by reason the Government's objections and to convince them that there was a problem.
As yet the Government see no problem and regard the Bill as a tiresome, otiose misconception. But there is always hope: the matter will be kept under review; perhaps amendments to the Employment Bill now before another place will be introduced. If not, in accordance with my undertaking to your Lordships, I shall introduce an amendment in this House in the summer, if necessary, when the opinion of your Lordships may be taken for the third time of asking.
In conclusion, I wish to thank in particular my noble friend the Minister for the exemplary conduct of his part in the affair and for his good offices in so far as it was possible for him to render them. I beg to move that the Bill do now pass.
Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Lord Campbell of Alloway.)
§ Lord McCarthyMy Lords, on behalf of those who supported him I thank the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Alloway, for taking the lead. Throughout he has been indefatigable, persuasive, flexible and reasonable. Like so many others who have been indefatigable, persuasive, flexible and reasonable he has met his reward.
The noble Lord has also isolated the Government. He was not alone in doing so; he was not present earlier but the Government were similarly isolated this evening. The difference is that his supporters on his side of the House turned up and they argued very well on his behalf. We thank the noble Lord greatly for what he has done so far and for saying that he will continue the fight. We wish him the best of luck.
§ Lord RochesterMy Lords, from these Benches I support the Motion that the Bill do now pass and renew my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Campbell, on having obtained support for it from all sides of the House. Like him and like the noble Lord, Lord McCarthy, I hope that the objective of the Bill can be met by an amendment to the Employment Bill, now in Standing Committee in another place, when it comes to this House.
§ Lord Wedderburn of CharltonMy Lords, I wish simply to put on record for old times' sake my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Campbell. As I have told him, rightly or wrongly, I received advice that the debates which took place during the earlier stages of the Bill were not ones in which I ought to participate. However, I wish to put on record my congratulations to him on getting the Bill to this point.
§ Lord Campbell of AllowayI am grateful, my Lords.
§ On Question, Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.