HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 cc631-2
27. Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he provides to support the development of free trade unions in third-world countries. [27692]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Jeremy Hanley)

Under the British aid programme, support is provided for projects to improve working conditions and terms of service through the workers group development scheme, and for trade union education and training through the joint funding scheme.

Mr. MacShane

I had hoped that the Minister would provide a figure as my question was about assistance. As the Minister knows, this year the Government will provide about £200,000 to support democratic trade unionism in the third world. In comparison, the United States will provide about $20 million; Sweden will provide about £6 million; and even the Netherlands—a country with a similar profile to the United Kingdom—will provide some £7 million.

When will the Government drop their pathetic, mean-minded hostility towards trade unions? Even if the Government hate trade unions in this country, they should recognise that they are part of the building blocks of democracy in the third world. The Government should give support to democratic trade unionism in the third world.

Mr. Hanley

We support responsible trade unionism as part of promoting good government. Since 1987 we have given £1 million in aid to the joint funding scheme, and every year we give £200,000 to the workers group development scheme for trade union and employee development. That scheme covers important issues such as women's rights, health and safety, and financial management.

I believe that the new workers group development scheme is a success. It has been fully spent this year, with nine projects. However, there are competing interests for funding by the Department. I believe that the current scheme is a success.

Mr. Jessel

The power and influence of trade unions were drastically curtailed in this country in the early 1980s, which was followed by the biggest period of economic expansion ever in the history of this country—which is being echoed by the growth in our economy in the mid-1990s. Therefore, is it not poor advice to developing countries that they should foster the development of trade unions?

Mr. Hanley

I do not agree with my hon. Friend. Support for trade unions forms part of our support for good government. We want to encourage representative and responsible civil societies and responsible trade unions, along with business associations, have a role in this. Some of my hon. Friends have suggested that business associations are just as important as trade unions for growth and democracy—and I agree. We are willing to consider support for business associations, but they tend to be more self-reliant.