Trades Union Congress (Hansard, 20 June 1989)

§ 12. Mr. Strang
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss employment issues.

§ Mr. Nicholls
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress on 15 June.

§ Mr. Strang
After the rout of the Conservative party in the Euro-elections, is it not clear that the TUC and the vast majority of British people want the Government to abandon their opposition to the European social charter? Will the Prime Minister be the only one of the 12 in Madrid to stand out against a measure aimed at improving standards for employees and pensioners throughout the Community?

§ Mr. Nicholls
My right hon. Friend will continue to do what she has always done on behalf of Britain—to fight our corner within the European Community. If the hon. Gentleman takes comfort from the result of the European elections, we look forward to seeing whether the smile is on the other side of his face after the next general election.