Schedule 6 - Minor and consequential amendments
Employment
6:15 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
The Minister is playing up the consensus that has been achieved, but he will also acknowledge that Mr. Bill Morris has described the measure as ''meaningless'' because it gives a right only to have a request considered rather than an absolute right to have it granted in the variation of working terms. The Minister will concede that although employers are broadly happy with the drafting of the Bill—issues have yet be raised—they are extremely fearful that on the evidence of past work the Bill has
been drafted to be the thin edge of the wedge, which will provide a quick, obvious and easy route to placing a greater burden on employers and granting a more specific right. He might want to imply that he has satisfied everybody, but must recognise that, beneath the surface, great concern about the measure exists on both sides.