§ 65. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for approval of agency shop agreements have been made to the National Industrial Relations Court since the relevant Sections of the Industrial Relations Act came into force.
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§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkAgency shop agreements need no approval from the Industrial Court, or any other institution established under the Industrial Relations Act. I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the provisions enabling an employer or a registered union to apply to the Court for a ballot in cases of dispute over the introduction of an agency shop agreement. Two such applications have been made so far; one was subsequently withdrawn.