§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is Government policy to support union closed shops for staff employed in polytechnics, both lecturing and maintenance.
§ Mr. OakesWhether or not there should be a closed shop agreement for70W any group of staff in any organisation is entirely a matter for the employer and union concerned. The Government's policy on these matters is one of neutrality.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the conditions of staff and students forced to move from the Holbrook Annexe of North East London Polytechnic as a result of the strike, to a portable tin hut in West Ham.
§ Mr. OakesThe staff and students concerned have transferred temporarily to other premises, including some prefabricated buildings—but not a tin hut—which are not entirely satisfactory.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many cleaning operatives are employed at the Holbrook Annexe of North East London Polytechnic; and on what date they started their strike.
§ Mr. OakesThere are five cleaning operatives employed in the main building and they withdrew their labour from 1st October 1976.