§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to advise Scottish local authorities of the desirability of holding a secret ballot of employees before introducing any closed shop arrangements within their authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerNo. The Government have consistently maintained a position of neutrality on the question of closed shop agreements: they believe that whether, how and in what form they should be introduced is a matter to be determined between employers and trade unions.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many regional authorities in Scotland have made trade union membership a condition of employment; and if he will indicate, in the case of each regional authority, the date on which the decision was made and the exclusions which are permitted.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe information is not readily available. We do not monitor the establishment or operation of closed shop agreements in either the public or private sector.