United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - Report (3rd Day) – in the House of Lords at 2:30 pm on 25th November 2020.
Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted:
Moved by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted
62A: Clause 40, page 32, line 7, at end insert—“( ) Penalties under section 39(1) or (2) may not be imposed on small companies, as defined in section 382 of the Companies Act 2006 (companies qualifying as small: general), or on partnerships or other businesses with similar criteria.”
In moving this amendment, I am sorry that the Minister is not prepared to negotiate further about small businesses. I am also sorry that the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter, and Labour do not seem to think that small businesses—which are the backbone of jobs and the economy in this country—are a sufficiently serious matter. I consider that allowing businesses to have the freedom to conduct their business without obstruction when they have done no wrong is quite a serious constitutional matter. Therefore, I wish to test the opinion of the House and to record my vote and those of my colleagues.
Ayes 155, Noes 249.