Employment Bill [Lords]

The hon. Lady will know from the constituency that she represents that the UK used to have one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. With the best of intentions, British Governments introduced employment and tax regulations that encouraged—indeed, forced, in many cases—British shipping firms to go offshore and to use flags of convenience. Does she not think that some of the proposals that she is outlining will have exactly the same effect on the very small British fleet that is left?