---

Employment Bill [Lords]

I agree with the points made by the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) about the role of lay members in tribunal proceedings. One of the strengths of the employment tribunals has been that those who have active experience of industry—on the worker and trade union side and also on the employer side—have had a strong role in the proceedings and the move towards a very legalistic approach would not be welcomed. There is concern from all parties that the role of lay members may be watered down, which would be a huge mistake. I urge the Minister not to listen to the advice given by the Conservative Front-Bench spokesman, the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Djanogly). We remember that the Conservatives did not vote for the national minimum wage and argued that its introduction would lead to higher unemployment. That has not proved to be the case.