§ 29. Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking in relation to the closed shop; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Employment Bill published on 21 December 1989 makes it unlawful to refuse to employ a person because he is, or is not, a trade union member and provides that any person refused employment for such a reason may complain to an industrial tribunal. This measure, together with the protections afforded by the 1988 Employment Act, will make all forms of the closed shop unenforceable in law.
§ 49. Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the abolition of the closed shop; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsMy Department continues to receive letters that describe difficulties experienced as a result of the operation of closed shop arrangements. The majority of these letters support measures against the closed shop. The Employment Bill published on 21 December 1989 will make it unlawful to refuse anyone employment because he is, or is not, a member of a trade union and this, together with the protections already afforded under the 1988 Employment Act, will make all forms of the closed shop unenforceable in law.
§ 55. Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has held any recent meetings with his EEC counterparts to discuss the legal and practical aspects of trades union closed shop procedures in the member states.
§ Mr. NichollsNeither my right hon. and learned Friend nor his predecessor the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir N. Fowler) has held any such meetings recently.