John Gilroy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister. Most of what needs to be said about the Bill has been said but I want to stress that this is the result of the referendum. The people have spoken on this. It is our firm intention that everything we do in Government will be fair and seen to be fair and this is just one small element in that step.

Our intent is clear on this, that voluntary reductions in pay are not the way to go. An example of what might happen if we go that route is what happened in the presidential election, for instance, where one candidate stated he would do it for whatever price, another stated, "I would do it for less again", then someone else even stated, "I will not take any pay at all". It made a mockery of the system.

Voluntary reductions do not work. The judges have demonstrated that they are not interested in voluntary reductions and that made clear the requirement for this measure. I am glad it did. I have other points to make but I will not do so. I am want to let my colleague speak.