§ 9. Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industries in the public sector operate a closed shop; and what representations he has received from the employees in the public sector about the closed shop.
§ Mr. John GrantThe information is not available. We do not monitor the establishment or operation of closed shop agreements in either the public or private sectors. Only in isolated cases does an employee writing to my Department about the closed shop indicate in which industry he works.
§ Mr. GowIs it not the case that as the public sector extends and as the closed shop in the public sector extends the right to work in the public sector depends increasingly on the possession of a union card? Can the Under-Secretary of State really say that the Government are prepared to remain neutral as we move towards a closed-shop Britain?
§ Mr. GrantI am sorry that the Minister of State is not here to continue his regular exchanges with the hon. Member. I do not share the hon. Member's view. The Government maintain their position of neutrality on this subject. I suggest to the hon. Member that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of his supplementary question he might like to raise the matter again on the Adjournment.