HC Deb 17 July 1979 vol 970 cc1285-7
11. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will be discussing with the trades union leadership the financing of strikes.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Patrick Mayhew):

During the course of future discussions, but not immediately.

Mr. Marlow

In view of the fact that my constituents, in common with many others, resent paying taxes to the families of strikers for strikes that will increase the prices that most people will have to pay, in view of the fact that the trade unions in this country are worth more than £300 million, in view of the fact that before the changes which the Labour Party introduced strikers' families did not starve, in view of the fact that power is money and that the more Government money the unions get the better able are irresponsible unions to sustain strikes, will my hon. and learned Friend reassure my constituents and the House that as soon as it is proper to do so he will introduce measures to make sure that the trade unions have to finance their own strikes to a larger extent?

Mr. Mayhew

I am aware of my hon. Friend's interest in this matter and of the early-day motion which was tabled in his name. Many people consider it only right that trade unions should bear a fair share of supporting the families of members on strike. We shall be discussing this matter with the TUC. For the moment, the discussions in which my right hon. Friend is engaged relate to even more important matters.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Minister not realise that the introduction of Draconian measures against wives and children of strikers can only deepen the terrible problems towards which the present Government are now moving? Does he also appreciate that it would be far more sensible to try to abolish the lousy conditions in many workshops to ensure that working people have a reasonable wage, instead of having to put up with measures which the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) has wanted all his life?

Mr. Mayhew

Nobody is suggesting that the families of people on strike should receive less support. All that is being suggested is that the trade unions whose members initiate a strike should bear a fair share of the contributions.

Mr. Dorrell

I recognise the undoubtedly strong feelings of my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow), but does the Minister accept that the Government need the co-operation of trade unions in ensuring support for a broad measure of their policies? Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that it is more important to secure that co-operation than to seek agreement on the measures proposed by my hon. Friend?

Mr. Mayhew

The Government believe that all their proposals are sensible. By discussing these matters with all concerned we hope to achieve a wide measure of support.

Forward to