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Employment Bill [HL]

With respect, we got a bit lost. We are wandering in a jungle, talking about constitution and framework for tribunals, what one department is proposing to do and documents in another department. If one looks quietly at what we are concerned with in these amendments, one will see that it is the function of lay members and the equality of them—and nobody has challenged that. It is how it has worked for many years and there is no palpable threat of change to that situation. I have listened with great attention to what the noble Lord has said, but I do not understand any intention of the Government—which is what it would have to be—to change that position. Without an intention of the Government, this is not a Bill in which to give effect to the ideas of the noble Lord, Lord Wedderburn, because there is no other place for them. That is not the purpose of this Bill. Therefore, I would very much object to the amendments as being otiose.