§ Q7. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from Civil Service trade unions about the directive she issued on 22 December 1983 about trade union membership in Government communications headquarters; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterFollowing representations from the Council of Civil Service Unions, I met its representatives and those of the Trades Union Congress on 1 and 23 February 1984.
The Council of Civil Service Unions has recently made representations about the position of 12 members of GCHQ who originally accepted the revised conditions of service and the management's offer announced on 25 January 1984 and accordingly resigned from union membership, but subsequently rejoined unions after the High Court judgment in July 1984. Those representations are still being considered, but it has been made clear to the unions that there will be no change in the Government's general policy on this matter.
§ Mr. DalyellSo has not the time come for an amnesty?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Gentleman was listening to my first answer, I said that there will be—[Interruption.] I am so delighted with the reference from the hon. Gentleman. There will be no change in the Government's policy.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the problems at Cheltenham have their roots in the fact that the trade union leaders in the Civil Service reneged on an unwritten agreement that Cheltenham would never be involved in industrial activity?
§ The Prime MinisterThe action was taken, as my hon. Friend knows, because of the action taken by GCHQ when it went on strike and put very sensitive services at risk.
§ Mr. James LamondOn a point of order Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerDoes it arise from questions?
§ Mr. LamondI am wondering whether the Prime Minister misunderstood my question—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That cannot be a point of order for me, because I do not know. The hon. Gentleman might ask that question, if he has an opportunity, when we return from the Whitsun recess.
§ Mr. LamondI am trying to clear up a misunderstanding.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. Lamondrose —
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is a very experienced Chairman. He knows that it is not our practice 1155 to extend Question Time. There are very many right hon. and hon. Members who wish to speak in the subsequent debate.
§ Mr. Sheermanrose —
§ Mr. SpeakerIs this a new point of order?
§ Mr. SheermanIt is a fresh point of order, Mr. Speaker, but it follows up the point of order of my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Lamond). Further to the remarks of the Prime Minister in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham Central and Royton, gross discourtesy—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I cannot be responsible for the questions that are asked or for any answers that are given, whether from the Front Benches or from the Back Benches.
§ Mr. SpeakerIs it concerned with questions?
§ Mr. HefferIt concerns a question which is important, Mr. Speaker, because—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder, I shall take the hon. Gentleman's point of order later.