HC Deb 12 June 1972 vol 838 cc200-1W
Mr. Frank Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to limit the number of posts held by Communists in the trade union movement.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

No. My right hon. Friend does not think that direct discrimination against any political party would be either desirable or effective. The Industrial Relations Act contains various safeguards which should make it much more difficult for persons or groups to obtain positions of power within trade unions against the express wishes of the membership, but in the last resort it is the responsibility of members themselves to determine who should represent them.