Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon, Conservative)

I seek clarification on this clause. The amendments proposed by the Opposition have not been selected for debate. That is probably because their content has been covered previously. I accept that, but I want to know whether the issues that we debated when we discussed the ballot notice in clause 17(3) are the same as those which apply to the industrial action notice, namely, in relation to the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Norfolk about the branch employee and about inducement. I hope that I have made myself clear.

Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Employment Relations, Competition and Consumers), Department of Trade and Industry; Bradford South, Labour)

I do not need to respond in great detail. We have set out clearly the reasoning behind the clause, and how it relates to earlier clauses. We aim to simplify the procedure for establishing which information is required and to ensure that it is reasonable, while not putting an undue administrative burden on the unions or inciting anyone to worsen the relationship between the union and the employer in a situation that is already difficult because it involves industrial dispute. The clause is entirely sensible and is in line with the sentiments of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 20 ordered to stand part of the Bill.