HC Deb 01 March 1976 vol 906 c447W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish the draft code of practice relating to time off for carrying out trade union duties.

Mr. Booth

Section 6 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 places upon the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) the duty of preparing and publishing in draft a code of practice relating to the provisions of the Act dealing with time off for trade union duties. When the code is published in draft will be for the Council of ACAS to decide.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to inquire into the current procedures for trade union members to contract out of political levies; and if he is satisfied with the present arrangements.

Mr. Booth

The Trade Union Act 1913 lays down conditions under which trade unions may establish political funds, and specifies that any member of a union may be exempted from paying contributions to such a fund, and the way in which he may seek exemption. The Act requires that each member must be given notice of the right to exemption, and of where copies of the appropriate exemption notice can be obtained. The procedures under which this requirement is effected by a union must be in accordance with rules approved by the certification officer appointed under the Employment Protection Act 1975. I am satisfied with the present arrangements, and have no proposals for inquiring into procedures operated under the 1913 Act.

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