Member

We are somewhat in the dark because, as all three of my noble friends pointed out, the Labour Party was strangely silent on this issue prior to the election. It is difficult to understand how this clause has come about. There is no clear rationale for taxpayers funding what could be, as my noble friend Lady Noakes points out, a huge commitment. Legal assistance is already available in certain circumstances, but we need to clarify what Clause 114 will do. To what extent will it apply to individuals? As my noble friends pointed out, it certainly should not apply to trade unions or those acting on their behalf. If there is to be a focus for Clause 114, it should remain on helping workers directly, not resourcing third-party litigation strategies. That is a clear and sensible distinction.