§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Professional Association of Teachers is recognised as an independent trade union for the purposes of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, made under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 provide that in order to invoke its statutory rights under the regulations a trade union must be both recognised by the employer and an independent trade union as defined in the relevant labour relations legislation.
286Wto projects in the United Kingdom for 1978 and 1979 is not known at present. This is because there are no predetermined national quotas for distribution of Social Fund grants. Instead, allocations are made from time to time by the EEC Commission. Most of the expected allocations for United Kingdom schemes in 1978 and 1979 have not yet been decided.
Allocations which have been granted to United Kingdom programmes to date total £34,846,028 for 1978 and £2,924,472 for 1979. They comprise the following:
I understand that the Professional Association of Teachers holds a certificate, issued under the provision of that legislation, that it is an independent trade union. The question of its recognition is, however, a matter for the Association and the appropriate employer.