Trade Unions (Hansard, 28 June 1994)

§ 4. Mr. Barnes
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning this year's re-registration of trade union membership; and if he will make a statement.

§ The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. Michael Forsyth)
If the hon. Gentleman's question is about check-off, various representations have been received.

§ Mr. Barnes
My question is about registration and re-registration by trade unions and trade union members. Is it not time that some deregulation was introduced for our trade unions? Why do they have to jump through so many hoops in terms of their existence and organisation and in terms of being recognised and negotiating? And why is the Minister so vindictive towards railway signalmen, who all do a far more responsible job than he does?

§ Mr. Forsyth
The hon. Gentleman is out of sorts with the times and his potential party leadership. Gone are the days when the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) used to describe ballots as a scandalous and undemocratic measure against the trade union movement".—[Official Report, 8 November 1983; Vol.48, c.210.] It appears that the hon. Gentleman has not caught up with the movement in his own party. The Government spoke for the British people and the vast majority of trade unionists when we reformed the trade union movement and gave it back to its members.

§ Mr. Jenkin
Although unemployment has been falling in the North Colchester constituency, the registration of trade unionists has not been one of the factors which may have assisted that. However, employers are worried about the succession of European Court cases that have been lost by the Government. Does my hon. Friend agree with the Prime Minister that we need to look at the way in which the treaty of Rome is operating in this area with a view to reform in 1996?

§ Mr. Forsyth
As my hon. Friend knows, I always agree with the Prime Minister, particularly on that point. On the first part of my hon. Friend's question, there is a link between falling unemployment in his constituency, as in every other, and our trade union reforms. It is because of our trade union reforms that we have been able to create a climate which has attracted 40 per cent. of all inward investment into the European Community into Britain, thus creating jobs.