"anything the HoL can do can only ever be a temporary - couple of months - setback to the will of the Government, if it is not minded to change its direction.

'Fraid not Royston on this occasion - it's all down to the 'timing'

'The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill had to become law by May 8th 20088, when prison officers' right-to-strike provisions expired under an industrial relations procedural arrangement.

For that reason the Waddington amendment was kept in the bill, but ministers made clear they were unhappy with it.

Justice minister Maria Eagle described it as "undesirable and unnecessary; it does not add anything to the law as it would stand without its inclusion." '