GCHQ (Trade Union Membership) (Hansard, 25 January 1984)

§ Dr. David Owen (Plymouth, Devonport)
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the decision to deprive members of GCHQ of membership of a trade union.
The matter is specific, because it affects the fundamental liberties of well over 5,000 of our citizens. The matter is important because I believe that there are other ways of achieving the desirable objectives — a negotiated non-strike agreement, and exemption from the industrial tribunal provisions of the Employment Protection Act—while still abandoning any attempt to prevent civil servants from being members of trade unions.
The matter is urgent because, as I understand it, the action has already been taken without any consultation with trade unions or with the Security Commission—the body which all sides of the House have trusted on matters dealing with the GCHQ and many other areas of national security.
I believe that this matter will cause a great deal of public controversy throughout the country. It is better for that controversy to take place in this House, where the serious issues of security, the legitimate rights of security, and the protection of the security of this country can be properly balanced against the rights of individual citizens.

§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
Nevertheless, he supports the action.

§ Mr. Speaker
The right hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which should have urgent consideration, namely, 928 the decision to deprive members of GCHQ of membership of a trade union. We had a long question and answer period On the Foreign Secretary's statement, and I listened carefully to what the right hon. Gentleman said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised as appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. Therefore. I cannot submit his application to the House.