Economic League (Hansard, 13 February 1990)

§ 11. Dr. Moonie
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to outlaw activities such as those of the Economic League; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Nicholls
No, Sir.

§ Dr. Moonie
That was a typically pathetic answer. Will the Minister join us in utterly condemning the activities of organisations that seek to blacklist people for no other reason than legitimate trade union activities?

§ Mr. Nicholls
The hon. Gentleman is behind the times. If he cares to have a look at the matter he will find in the Employment Bill, which is presently going through Committee, that it will not be lawful after the Bill is passed to discriminate against a potential employee merely because he is a trade union member. It causes his own Front-Bench spokesmen some embarrassment because it means that they would have to support the abolition of the closed shop. That is a matter that he will have to take up with them.

§ Mr. Speaker
I call Mr. Tredinnick.—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Order. I am being urged to speed up Question Time.