HC Deb 13 January 1977 vol 923 cc1632-3
15. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet representatives of trade unions in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Concannon

Northern Ireland Ministers and officials are in constant touch with representatives of the trade unions in Northern Ireland and meetings are arranged when the need arises.

Mr. Canavan

Does my hon. Friend agree that the trade union movement in Northern Ireland has a long and outstanding record of campaigning against sectarianism and violence, and campaigning for peace with equality of opportunity in such areas as employment, education and housing? Will my hon. Friend therefore give the trade union movement every opportunity to make its influence felt throughout the whole community by, for example, appointing trade union representatives to public bodies such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive?

Mr. Concannon

My colleagues and I recognise the contribution made by trade unions in Northern Ireland. In view of the background of my colleagues, it would be rather amiss if we did not. I do not know what talks my hon. Friend had with the trade union movement over there but I am rather surprised at the length of the latter part of his question, because in the summer I asked the trade union movement to supply me with a list of trade union members who could be appointed to various committees. I understand that the list arrived in the Office only on 29th December.

The Housing Executive has a board of only nine members. Three of those are appointed, by statute, from the Housing Council, which is made up of the district councillors. One of the members is the chairman and one is the vice-chairman. The Mayor of Belfast is also appointed to the board. It is not now my responsibility, but in the context of which my hon. Friend was speaking it left me three members to appoint to cover geographical regions and to take into consideration age and politics. At one time I was left looking for a yonng female SDLP trade union councillor who was from west of the Bann. It is not always possible to give trade unionists a seat on public bodies just because they are trade unionists. They must represent other interests as well.

Mr. Craig

Will the hon. Gentleman at an early date meet representatives of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, which is the largest union in the gas industry in Northern Ireland and whose members are gravely concerned about the future of the industry?

Mr. Concannon

I am continually meeting trade union groups. I do not think that anybody who has written to me asking for a meeting has not been accorded an interview with either myself or one of my colleagues.