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Education and Skills Bill

We will return to those points in the next set of amendments, so I will deal with them then, rather than now. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) for pointing out Lord Goodlad's letter and the importance of audi alteram partem, meaning ““Hear the other side””, which is what we have been doing throughout the process in the Lords. We will be debating the various ways in which we have been listening to the other side throughout today's debate. The hon. Gentleman underlined the reasons why we believe that the principle of having appeal is right, on reflection. I believe that I answered his question on the first tier of the new tribunals system that is in place thanks to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. To some extent, when the Bill was originally drafted and scrutinised in the Commons, the measures that are now in place in respect of that Act were not in place. It is therefore appropriate that we now take cognisance of them. The hon. Gentleman asked questions about civil versus criminal sanctions. I suspect that when we deal with the next set of amendments, we will probe in a little more detail whether criminal sanctions are appropriate for young people on top of the range of things that are in place to encourage them to participate. However, in respect of employers, it is appropriate that we have civil and not criminal sanctions. The enforcement system for employers is not criminal. It culminates in a financial penalty that is recoverable through county courts, in which employers have the opportunity to present things from their perspective having used the right of appeal, if they so wish. That is appropriate, and we will discuss in a minute whether or not the measures for young people are appropriate. In essence, as the hon. Gentleman knows because we have discussed the matter at some length both in the Chamber, in Committee and in private, I believe that the youth court, because it is specifically designed to deal with training and sanctions for young people, is the appropriate body to deal with those matters for young people. On the basis of those explanations, which I hope are adequate, I hope that the House will support the amendment. Lords amendment agreed to. Lords amendments 2 to 23 agreed to [Special Entry.]