Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Norman Lamb and Julian Smith

Thursday 24th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

The Government are implementing many elements of the Beecroft report. In fact, Adrian Beecroft has already had discussions with officials in my Department and his report includes a lot of measures that the Department was already considering implementing. A call for evidence is out on no-fault dismissal, and it is right to examine the international evidence. We will report after that evidence has been collated.

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

May I urge Ministers to ignore the canned melodrama of the shadow Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary on the Beecroft report? Will the Minister confirm that the current call for evidence from very small businesses in Britain will be objective?

[Norman Lamb]

I can absolutely confirm that. It is always right to base policy on evidence—[Laughter.]