HC Deb 02 June 1981 vol 5 cc759-60
1. Mr. Butcher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to meet the president of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers to discuss the provision of money for ballots of its membership.

The Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. James Prior)

I have no plans for such a meeting, although I am always ready to meet trade union leaders.

Mr. Butcher

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that this is one aspect of public expenditure available to trade unions that would assist them in providing a better and more informed service for their members?

Mr. Prior

Yes, Sir. I hope very much that trade unions and their leaders will do all that they can to encourage the holding of secret ballots, if necessary by post, recognising that the Government will pay the cost of those ballots while not wishing to interfere in the manner in which trade unions organise their affairs.

Mr. Joseph Dean

The Secretary of State must be aware that this proposal was put to the national committee of the AUEW, representing the rank and file in the industry, by the union's executive. The national committee took a democratic decision and rejected the proposal out of hand. Is this not an example of democracy working?

Mr. Prior

I am also aware that many members of the executive, including the leadership, were keen to take part in the scheme. I regret that they did not do so. I am, however, prepared to accept the view that was taken and I make no further comment about it.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Does my right hon. Friend not think that it would have been better if the Civil Service unions had taken advantage of the ballot procedure? Since more than half of the members of the Civil Service are not in favour of striking, the dispute might then have been settled a long time ago.

Mr. Prior

There is a great deal to be said for secret ballots. That is why the Government introduced the measure and why it received a good deal of support from Opposition Members. I should like to see it used far more than at present.

Mr. John Evans

Will the Secretary of State concede that the AUEW elects all its officers by secret ballot and does not require Government money for this purpose? Is not the real reason why the AUEW, along with other unions, will not accept money from this Government the fact that they are an anti-trade union Government?

Mr. Prior

I do not accept the latter point. Last year, ballots cost the AUEW about £293,000. I should have thought that the union would wish to take part in the scheme. If it prefers to spend its own money, who I am to complain?