HC Deb 20 March 1984 vol 56 cc902-3
12. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the European Economic Community countries where there are restrictions as a result of collective agreements on the freedom of some or all Government employees to take industrial action; and if he will indicate the groups of employees and the restrictions in each case, respectively.

Mr. Tom King

Restrictions on the freedom to take industrial action of some or all Government employees in certain EEC countries arise principally as a result of legal prohibition. However, some Government employees in certain EEC countries are covered by legally enforceable collective agreements, which create an obligation not to take industrial action during their currency and that limits the freedom to take industrial action of those concerned.

Mr. Dalyell

Why deny Government communications headquarters' employees a no-strike agreement?

Mr. King

The matter was fully debated in the House. I set out the problems that exist and explained why the trade unions' proposals, which were genuine, fell short of the Government's requirements. The Government were supported by the Select Committee, which made it clear that it was the Government's overriding responsibility to ensure that their objectives were achieved.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a restrictive agreement with a number of unions in the Health Service in Lancashire and many other counties to prevent the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel, which represents a majority of trade union members in Lancashire, from participating in industrial negotiations with the health authority? Does the Minister agree that that is disgraceful?

Mr. Speaker

I must draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that the main question relates to Government employees.

Mr. John Smith

With reference to GCHQ, which was the basis of my hon. Friend's question, can the Secretary of State tell the House why the Government rejected the option of a ballot at GCHQ to see whether the employees wanted to join the union?

Mr. King

The Government have a clear responsibility for national security. That is recognised in domestic legislation and in International Labour Organisation conventions. It was the Government's judgment that it was in the interests of national security and that the primary function of those agencies was such that they should operate as the Government proposed.