Lord Whitty

Agriculture minister Lord Whitty has suggested that a government-backed backbench bill to regulate gangmasters may not be given sufficient legislative time to clear parliament.

The government threw its weight behind Jim Sheridan's Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill after 20 Chinese cockle-pickers lost their lives while working illegally in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire.

The bill, introduced before the tragedy, is designed to curb the abuse of temporary and vulnerable workers by unscrupulous employers.

Under the draft legislation, "gangmasters" would have to obtain a license before hiring workers.

The bill received its unopposed second reading in the Commons last month.

Lord Whitty also admitted that ministers did not meet to discuss the ramifications of the tragedy until six weeks after the facts emerged.