In its second reading in Parliament last month, the Directors Duties Bill received unanimous support after a three-hour debate. It was a clear victory for those campaigners like the Transport & General Workers Union, who want to ensure directors take responsibility for health and safety. But unfortunately for them, there were only 28 MPs in the House that day, so the bill fell for lack of a quorum.

It was not totally unexpected. Quite apart from it being a controversial private members bill, the debate took place on a Friday three months from a general election, when most MPs would be on the hustings.

“We won the argument and the vote but we are extremely disappointed that Parliament did not provide the leadership this important issue deserves,” said Jack Dromey, T&GWU deputy general secretary.

Of the 28 MPs who voted, 25 were Labour, two were Liberal Democrats, and one was Plaid Cymru. No Conservatives voted.

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