HC Deb 26 March 1984 vol 57 c105
Mr. Gummer

I beg to move amendment No. 7, in page 5, line 37, at end insert— '(1A) Subsection (1)(b) above shall not apply where—

  1. (a) a trade union has members ("special members") who are individuals but who are not such representatives as are mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above; and
  2. (b) the conditions mentioned in subsection (1B) below are satisfied.
(1B) The conditions are that—
  1. (a) all of the special members are merchant seamen;
  2. (b) a majority of the special members are ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom.'.
 This change in the Bill is designed to meet the particular needs of the International Transport Workers Federation, one small part of which has individual members. Almost all those members do not reside in this country. They are members because there is no other way in which they can have proper trade union representation. I met representatives of the federation and felt that it was important that we should meet their particular and peculiar circumstances, which we are doing in this way.

Mr. John Smith

On behalf of the Opposition, I should like to express our appreciation to the Minister for agreeing to make this change. That was a reasonable case. When the Government accede to a reasonable case, although it does not happen frequently, we are obliged to thank them.

Amendment agreed to.

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