HC Deb 25 May 1984 vol 60 cc605-6W
Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role Mr. Jack Hart has at present in the arrangements for staff representation at Government communications headquarters, Cheltenham.

Mr. Rifkind

None.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days were lost by sickness at Government communications headquarters since 1979 to March 1984; and how many days have been lost since the latest available date.

Mr. Rifkind

This information is not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Member with details as soon as I can.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many union representatives there were at Government communications headquarters before the union ban; and how many staff association representatives there are now.

Mr. Rifkind

There were 264 accredited union representatives at GCHQ before 1 March. A steering committee of 12 has been elected to draw up a constitution for the staff association. It will be for the staff association, when constituted, to decide how many representatives will be required.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role, objectives and achievements of the staff association at Government communications headquarters; and how it is financed.

Mr. Rifkind

These are matters for the staff association.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present structure for staff representation at Government communications headquarters, Cheltenham; if any members of the previous staff side of the Whitley council are playing any part in the staff association; how many officers the staff association has; and what are the latest figures for expenditure on the staff association.

Mr. Rifkind

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him earlier. Some members of the steering committee, including the chairman, have previous Whitley council experience.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff have left Government communications headquarters for other appointments in the current year to date.

Mr. Rifkind

Accurate figures for those leaving GCHQ to take up other appointments are not available since staff are not generally required to give reasons for resignation.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff at Government communications headquarters, Cheltenham, and the outstations are still members of trade unions.

Mr. Rifkind

One of the revised conditions of service at GCHQ is that staff may not be members of a national trade union. Over 98 per cent. of staff at GCHQ have accepted those conditions. Of the small percentage who have refused to accept the new conditions it is not known how many are union members.

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