HC Deb 20 January 1994 vol 235 cc1031-2
8. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how often he meets the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and representatives of the major unions representing employees within Northern Ireland to discuss the economy, employment and related issues.

Mr. Tim Smith

My predecessor met leading trade union representatives from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern. The last meeting was in May 1993. I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the trade union movement on its pro-active stance for peace and its efforts with employers to keep the workplace free of strife.

Mr. Mackinlay

While echoing the Minister's comments on the trade unions' view and motives with regard to the peace process in Northern Ireland, may I ask him to reflect that ministerial contact with representatives of the trade unions in Northern Ireland is infrequent and insufficient? When it occurs, Ministers do not listen to representations arguing for restoration of the national health service, full rights in terms of employment protection and the capacity to try to persuade the Government against foolhardy processes such as the privatisation of the port of Belfast and the airport. Will he give an undertaking that the Secretary of State and his Ministers will start regular meetings with the trade unions in Northern Ireland so that the views of working people can be adequately represented to the Government of Northern Ireland?

Mr. Smith

The hon. Gentleman may have underestimated the occasions on which Ministers meet trade union representatives. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State met trade union representatives as recently as November. We have regular contact. I should be very happy to meet them if they so request it.

Mr. Trimble

Were the Government consulted about the guidelines that have just been agreed between the unions, the employers and the Fair Employment Commission on the display of emblems, not, as hitherto, enabling a minority to object to emblems within the workplace, but now enabling them to object to emblems displayed anywhere within the premises, a significant and sinister shift when one bears in mind the fact that previously FEC officials have tried to intimidate people into not flying the national flag or displaying pictures of Her Majesty the Queen? Were the Government consulted about that and will they take steps to ensure that the FEC does not attempt again to inhibit people from displaying the national flag and the sovereign's face in the workplace or on the premises?

Mr. Smith

I fully understand the hon. Gentleman's concern about this issue. I cannot offer him an immediate answer, so I shall write to him about it.