Trade Union Bill

Debate between Lord Leigh of Hurley and Lord Cormack

Thursday 25th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leigh of Hurley]

I would be very interested to know the number of those people. Clearly, the numbers have changed dramatically since check-off was brought in, as the noble Lord, Lord Balfe, explained.

[Lord Cormack]

Yes, but we are concerned about every individual. Even if it is only a few hundred people, surely that in itself is justification for what is being argued by almost everybody in this debate.

[Lord Leigh of Hurley]

Of course, exceptions can be made for a few hundred, if it is a few hundred, as with others. But it seems that direct debit is the direction of travel. I have nearly finished.

[Lord Leigh of Hurley]

I am not sure the noble Lord knows my particular social circle, but I took the figure of a few hundred from my noble friend Lord Cormack. As I said, I do not know the numbers and I do not think the noble Lord knows the numbers, but it would be interesting to have them presented to us.

[Lord Cormack]

The point I was making was that even if it is only a tiny number, why are we doing this?

[Lord Leigh of Hurley]

Yes, I thank the noble Lord—I have taken the point. The point that I was making was that the direction of travel, in the market and clearly by the unions, is towards direct debit, which is a direction of travel that we should encourage.