§ Mr. Timothy Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 29 June, Official Report, c 270, he expects to complete his consideration of the claim for recognition by the Immigration Service Union.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe ISU has applied to the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers Associations for a certificate of independence under the Employment Protection Act 1975. This involves an independent assessment of viability that I would prefer not to prejudge. I therefore propose to await the decision of the certification officer on the application before reaching a decision on the ISU's request for departmental recognition, provided the certification proceedings do not prove to be prolonged. I shall review the position after two months if the certification proceedings have not been completed by then.