Trades Union Congress

HC Deb 05 June 1980 vol 985 cc801-2W

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the occasions and dates when he or any of his departmental colleagues have met official representatives of the Trades Union Congress at a formal meeting to discuss policy issues; and whether there has been any occasion when he has refused to meet a Trades Union Congress deputation after the congress has officially requested one.

Mr. Prior

[pursuant to his reply, 3 June 1980, c. 486–87]: Since taking office I have never refused to meet a Trade Union Congress deputation after one has been officially requested. I and my junior Ministers met official TUC representatives at formal meetings in my Department on the following dates:

Date of Meeting

1979 23 May 5 June 27 June 22 August (together with Mr. Mayhew) 15 October 24 October 5 November (together with Mr. Mayhew) 29 November (together with Mr. Mayhew)

1980 10 January (together with Mr. Mayhew) 4 March (together with Mr. Mayhew) 11 March (together with Mr. Lester) 31 March (together with Mr. Lester and Lord Gowrie).

This list does not include occasions when I have met representatives of the TUC in their capacity as members of other organisations such as the Manpower Services Commission, or other non-departmental meetings.