Member

These amendments are trying to preserve flexibility for the poor business owner. We all know that many business owners are having to close down. With some it is because of employment law, and with others it is because of the very high rates that they have to pay on the high street; there are many reasons. But here is an opportunity for them to preserve flexibility. I hope the Minister will give very careful thought to these amendments as we work our way through the Bill, because the alternative is lower employment, lower growth and people out of work because we have been too prescriptive.