European Union Bill

My Lords, I consider that the very strong and articulate arguments put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Williamson of Horton, and very carefully considered by this House, deserve a little more than the rather supercilious dismissal of the whole argument by the other place: "““Because the outcome of the referendum should be determined by those who vote in it and should not depend on how many do not vote””." One might say that that is almost contemptuous. I support what the noble Lords, Lord Williamson of Horton and Lord Triesman have said, although I do not expect them to press the matter to a vote. However, I want to make one other reference, because it shows that the noble Lord, Lord Triesman, is right in saying that this issue cannot simply be put on a shelf and forgotten. Let me give three very quick quotations to the House. The first quotation is: "““The Government is under pressure from Tory MPs to reform industrial relations laws so unions would have to secure a turnout of more than 50 per cent in ballots before action could go ahead””." The second quotation is: "““The Confederation of British Industry has suggested a 40 per cent threshold””," before any industrial action can take place. Finally, third quotation is from the Conservative Mayor of London, Mr Boris Johnson, who has argued for a ““50 per cent threshold”” before London Underground could determine a strike. This is an example of the fact that it is not enough to dismiss the proposals as if they were superficial and politically driven. It is clear in one area after another that the issue of thresholds is alive and relevant, and that already, in other spheres of legislation, there are very strong arguments that thresholds must be seriously considered. I advise the House to be a little careful about simply dismissing the argument for some kind of threshold.