HC Deb 21 February 1979 vol 963 c414
19. Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to meet the general secretary of the Trans port and General Workers' Union.

Mr. William Rodgers

I have no immediate plans to do so.

Mr. Skeet

I hope that when the Secretary of State has a word with the general secretary he will draw his attention to the fact that 12 members of the Cabinet are alleged to have been sponsored by trade unions, and if he will also draw his attention to the fact—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Will the hon. Gentleman put it in the form of a question? It makes things more respectable.

Mr. Skeet

Will the right hon. Gentleman also draw the general secretary's attention to the fact that his own union sponsored the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Energy—[HON. MEMBERS: "Wrong."]—and does he agree that this practice should be discontinued because it could lead to unfairness in dealing with industrial disputes?

Mr. Rodgers

No, I would not propose to speak to him in those terms. This is all on the record much more accurately than the way in which the hon. Gentleman has presented it to the House. I am sponsored by a trade union—not, as it happens, by that of which Mr. Moss Evans is the general secretary—and I find no conflict of responsibilities or obligations, and I do not believe that my colleagues find such a conflict either.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many hon. Members behind him think that the quality of the Cabinet would be enhanced and improved if it contained more sponsored members of the TGWU?