HC Deb 05 November 1974 vol 880 cc871-2
9. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Employment Protection Bill will contain safeguards for the jobs of individual workers in closed shops.

Mr. Booth

My right hon. Friend and I are discussing this question with the TUC, as indicated in the consultative document.

Mr. Miller

Is the Minister aware that a number of trade unionists in my constituency are as concerned about unfair dismissal from their unions as they are about unfair dismissal by the management? Will he seek to provide in the Bill some means of appeal from union kangaroo courts?

Mr. Booth

We are concerned that any proposals for further legislation on safeguards should take into account the drafting defects of Section 5 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act and supplement rather than duplicate or provide an alternative for the procedures being developed in the unions and by the TUC to give better remedies in cases of expulsion or refusal of admission of union members in closed shop situations.