§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people opted out of the trade union political levy in 1980; and how that compares with the position in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. WaddingtonNo figures for 1980 are yet available. I am informed by the Certification Officer that in the 73 unions with political funds the number of trade union members who were shown in annual returns to be exempt from contributing for the year ended 31 December 1979 was as follows: 223W
Year ended Total Membership of Unions maintaining political funds Number of Exempt Members 31 December 1979 9,993,333 1,527,575 The figures for those same Unions in previous years were as follows: 31 December 1978 9,940,703 1,444,317 31 December 1977 9,728,478 1,529,526 31 December 1976 9,425,552 1,501,126 31 December 1975 9,109,640 1,427,117 31 December 1974 8,616,058 1,242,694
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications the Certification Officer received for political levy "opting out" forms in 1980 and to date in 1981; and how this compares with the demand in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am informed by the Certification Officer that during 1980 he received 84 applications for forms used for claiming exemption from contributing to political funds and that he has received 61 such applications to date in 1981. This compares with 150 applications received during 1979. Figures for earlier years are not available.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate has been made of the total sum of money "opted out" of trade union political levies in 1980.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am informed. by the Certification Officer that no such estimate can yet be made.