Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill
9:45 am
Jonathan Djanogly (Shadow Minister, Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Huntingdon, Conservative)
Thank you, Mr. Hancock, and good morning. I appreciate that this has been a tough one for you because in some ways, we are continuing a conversation that started rather late last night, as you have probably gathered by now. We addressed this issue then—or, more to the point, I addressed it. I pointed out clearly the dilemma and the contradictions in the Government’s position on the timing of the negotiations on the directive in Brussels, the ongoing negotiations with various parties to the Bill, and the Government’s rather weak and failing earlier attempt at a compromise—setting up a commission between the unions and business, which seems to have been going rather pear-shaped. The net effect is that three different processes are running.
I am pleased that the timing implications are now at least being admitted by the Government, which I do not think they were by the Minister last night on the Floor of the House. At least this morning he admits that this process is undermining the Government process that is running in Brussels, and that we need to address that. I am not entirely sure that the debate so far has addressed that. In some ways, the situation is looking even more confusing than ever. The only rational outcome that I can see of what the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston and the Minister had to say is that we defer the Committee until we know what is going on in Europe, and until the Government have heard from the committee they set up to take soundings on this issue. Until that happens, I think that we must oppose the motion. I hope that the Government see sense on this and support us. Yes, we will discuss this issue, but we do not want contradictory Bills running through the House. If anything, that would create a huge headache for the Government.
There is a difference between the positions of various Government Members. The Minister made a case for what is happening in Europe, and talked about some key issues for employment in this country. If anything, the Government should make a statement on the Floor of the House, not an aside in a sittings motion debate in a Committee. He may therefore wish to consider whether he should make such a statement on what is a very important issue for British business. On the other hand, the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston seems to be using this as leverage for the union rebels’ position, keeping it hanging over the Government’s head just in case. Given the seriousness of the issues we are discussing, that is unacceptable and I ask him to reconsider. Let us face it—all parties are in agreement that the Bill should not be passed. I therefore ask that he reconsider and that the Committee be adjourned.