Clause 19 - Financial provision

Trade Union Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 2:00 pm on 27 October 2015.

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Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Photo of Stephen Doughty Stephen Doughty Shadow Minister (Business, Innovation and Skills)

I would not normally seek to speak on the latter clauses of a Bill, but I rise to make a point and to give the Minister one last chance to answer. The Bill’s provisions are clearly extensive, and a number of them are on extraordinarily shaky legal grounds. Will the Minister clarify whether the Government have set aside funds to consider any legal challenges that might arise once the legislation comes into force?

Photo of Nicholas Boles Nicholas Boles The Minister for Universities and Science, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Jointly with the Department for Education)

I think I have pretty much answered that question already. We have not made a specific provision for public expenditure. Indeed, we expect public expenditure to be reduced by the introduction of the levy, which will ensure that the costs of the certification officer that currently fall on the taxpayer will fall on those regulated—the employer associations and trade unions.

Question put, That the amendment be made.

The Committee divided: Ayes 10, Noes 8.

Division number 42 Decision Time — Clause 19 - Financial provision

Aye: 10 MPs

No: 8 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

No: A-Z by last name

Question accordingly agreed to.

Clause 19 ordered to stand part of the Bill.