§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the occasion and dates since 7 July 1981 when he or any of his departmental Ministers have met official representatives of the Trade Union Congress at a formal meeting to discuss policy issues, excluding meetings with departmental unions about Whitley conditions; and whether there has been any occasion when ha has refused to meet a Trades Union Congress deputation after the congress has officially requested one.
§ Sir Keith JosephI met representatives of the Trades Union Congress on 26 November 1981 and 24 June 1982. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Dr. Boyson) had meetings on 17 June and 30 June 1982, respectively. On 445W 6 April 1982 my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Waldegrave) met representatives of the general council of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. No requests for a meeting have been refused.